Graphical Construction Glossary >> Roofs and roofing. >> Roof Coverings >> terra cotta tiles

Terra Cotta Tiles

One of the oldest of roofing materials, these tiles
are made from hard fired clay in many different shapes and patterns.

Above is a shot of some quintessentially English pantiles.

Centuries old roof tiles in Ravenna Northern Italy

The technique of alternating rows of overlapping concave and convex using tiles from the same simple mould, combined with the overlapping as they went up the slope has got to be a major innovation in building construction

It developed independently in Europe and the east. Above is an example of Mediterranean terracotta tiles and below are the so called "Ying and Yang" tiles of China and the Far East

See also the ancient Roman imbrex and tegula tiles.

For more on clay roofing tiles with some photos of traditional tile and brick kilns.

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Adam Smith 1723-1790

"When we build, let us think that we build for ever."John Ruskin 1819-1900