CONST MTRL & TESTING: CLAY PRODUCTS

Clay products are another natural construction material used until these days but minimally compared to the ancient times. Clay products cover three categories:

A. Roof tiles

Although so many roofing materials have evolved over the times, some houses still prefer roof tiles. Besides their massive appearance, these tiles are truly heavy for roofing, they can be un-anchored and fall off easily.

Roof tiles can be further categorized according to their shapes:

1. Flat tiles have rectangular shape although carry different size variations. They are laid in overlapping rows by nailing them on horizontal reapers or battens.

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2. Interlocking tiles have corrugations which keep the tiles interlocked. 

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3. Curved tiles are those in half a cone shape. Not necessarily cylindrical for the purpose that the ends of these tiles are overlaid to each other.

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Click here for Lecture Notes on Clay Products

B. Floor tiles

These tiles are still used until present. Floor tiles differ from bricks or other paving materials due to their slim thickness. 

There are two types of floor tiles although they are closely related to each other. Both of these types are vitrified and they just differ in the level of pororsity and water absorption.


1. Vitrified tiles are processed to keep very low porosity.

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2. Marbonite tiles are fully vitrified which means it contains very less water absorption. Marbonite tiles look similar to natural marble.

courtesy of Johnson India

C. Wall tiles

Wall tiles have the same composition as floor tiles although they have lesser thickness.