mineral / Clay-Based / Tile

Terracotta baguette/louvre, various profiles (Specified by profile size)

Non-combustible ceramic facade system providing solar control, privacy, ventilation, and aesthetic enhancement for commercial and residential buildings. Manufactured through extrusion and high-temperature firing (1000-1200°C) of natural clay.

Atlas code
MIN-CLY-TIL-003
mineralclay-basedterracottafacadesunscreennon-combustiblebaguette
Terracotta baguette/louvre, various profiles (Specified by profile size)
At-a-glance signals

Non-combustible ceramic facade system providing solar control, privacy, ventilation, and aesthetic enhancement for commercial and residential buildings. Manufactured through extrusion and high-temperature firing (1000-1200°C) of natural clay.

Overview
Executive summary

Terracotta baguette and louvre systems are architectural facade elements manufactured from natural clay through extrusion, drying, and kiln firing processes. These linear profiles serve as sunscreens, privacy screens, and decorative elements, offering exceptional durability, fire resistance, and thermal performance. Available in various cross-sections (rectangular, square, oval, circular, triangular) with standard dimensions from 50x50mm to 50x150mm and lengths up to 1800mm. The hollow core design provides thermal and acoustic benefits while reducing weight.

Best when…
  • Non-combustible (NCC C2D10(5) compliant)
  • 50-100+ year service life
  • Low maintenance requirements
  • UV resistant with permanent colour
  • Natural material (100% clay)
  • Thermal mass benefits
  • Acoustic absorption properties
  • Suitable for all BAL ratings
  • Termite resistant
  • 100% recyclable
  • Self-cleaning properties available
  • Marine grade options available
Top advantages
  1. 01 Non-combustible (NCC C2D10(5) compliant)
  2. 02 50-100+ year service life
  3. 03 Low maintenance requirements
  4. 04 UV resistant with permanent colour
  5. 05 Natural material (100% clay)
Top limitations
  1. 01 Higher initial cost than aluminium alternatives
  2. 02 Weight considerations (25-35 kg/m² installed)
  3. 03 Limited local manufacturing in Australia
  4. 04 Lead times 3-4 months for custom profiles
  5. 05 Brittle material requiring careful handling
Technical
Physical ·9
Density
1040-2000 kg/m³ kg/m³
Specific gravity
1.7-2.0
Porosity
15-25% %
Water absorption
<2% (Grade 1); 6-15% (standard) %
Hardness
5-6 Mohs
UV resistance
Excellent // Vitrified surface, fired-in colour
Chemical resistance
High // Resistant to acids, alkalis, pollution
pH tolerance
3-14
Surface roughness
Ra 0.5-10 μm µm
Mechanical ·7
Tensile strength
2-5 MPa MPa
Compressive strength
18-40 MPa MPa
Flexural strength
12-25 MPa MPa
Shear strength
3-8 MPa MPa
Poisson's ratio
0.15-0.25
Impact resistance
Moderate // Brittle material, reinforcement available
Creep resistance
Excellent // Minimal creep in ceramics
Sustainability & Health
Embodied carbon & energy ·7
Embodied carbon
0.24 kgCO2e/kg // Industry estimates
Carbon footprint
240 kgCO2e/tonne // Bath ICE database estimate
Embodied energy
2-3 MJ/kg MJ/kg // Firing process energy
Water footprint
500-1000 L/m² L/kg // Manufacturing water use
Recycled content
0% % // 100% natural clay typically
Renewable content
100% % // Natural clay material
Circular score
High // Durable, recyclable, natural material
Compliance & Fire
Fire performance ·6
Combustibility class
Non-combustible // AS 1530.1
Fire resistance level
Non-combustible // NCC C2D10(5)
Ignition temp
>1000°C °C // Above firing temperature
Flame spread index
0
Smoke dev. index
0-3
Heat release rate
0 kW/m² // Non-combustible
Cost & Lifecycle
Capex & lead time ·6
Material cost (range)
$100-500/m² // Installed cost varies by system
Material cost (per unit)
$50-200/linear metre // Depends on profile
Lead time
3-4 months custom; 6-12 weeks standard // Manufacturer information
Lifecycle cost
$3-8/m²/year // Over 50-year life
Annual maintenance
$2-5/m² // Annual cleaning only
Market availability
Good // Multiple suppliers in Australia
Service life & durability ·3
Expected lifespan
50-100+ years // Historical evidence
Maintenance interval
Annual inspection // Cleaning as required
Warranty period
15-25 years // Manufacturer warranties
Layer D

Where it's used

Commercial office facades
Residential building screens
Educational facility sunshades
Healthcare building ventilation screens
Cultural institution feature facades
Parking structure screening
Balcony privacy screens
Window shading systems
Curtain wall integration
Corner and parapet treatments
MIN-CLY-TIL-003 · Materials Atlas · CLAD Atlas data is reference-only. Verify against manufacturer specifications and current standards before specifying.