An 18mm terracotta panel can reduce the face-material component of facade weight, but thickness alone does not define a lightweight, safe or suitable wall. Panel length, height, internal geometry, span, support arrangement, design actions and the mass of rails, brackets and accessories all contribute to the installed system.
LOPO’s original 2016 article described an 18mm option and a broad historic product range. Those dimensions, maximum sizes, finishes and performance statements are retained here as archive context—not current availability or approval. Every project requires current product data, samples, calculations and evidence for the exact panel and support system.
Distinguish panel thickness from facade weight
The nominal 18mm dimension describes one aspect of an extruded ceramic section. It does not reveal the complete cross-section, cavities, ribs, edge profile or local reinforcement around the fixing zone. Two panels with the same nominal thickness can have different mass, stiffness and capacity. Likewise, two rainscreens using the same panel can differ because of rail spacing, brackets, insulation, cavity barriers and secondary restraint.
For comparisons, request declared mass per square metre for the proposed panel profile and calculate the installed dead load of the whole facade build-up. Also review packing weight, manual-handling limits, lifting method and replacement access. A lower face weight may benefit an existing structure or reduce handling demands, but it is one input—not a substitute for engineering.
Read the archived 18mm claims with clear limits
| Archived 2016 statement | What it means today | Required current confirmation |
|---|---|---|
| Thicknesses of 12, 15, 18, 22, 30, 45 and 50 mm | A historical description of multiple panel families | Available profiles, actual cross-sections and intended applications |
| 18mm described as lightweight, durable and clip-and-hold | An old product-positioning statement | Declared mass, fixing geometry, capacity, durability data and system details |
| Formats up to 1800 mm long × 1200 mm high | A historical upper-size claim, not a universal design allowance | Feasible module by profile, orientation, finish, loads, span and tolerances |
| Natural, grooved, sanded, striped, corrugated, wood and glazed surfaces | An archived finish overview | Current finish names, samples, lead times and technical compatibility |
Do not copy an archive maximum into construction documents. Manufacturing feasibility may narrow as dimensions grow, and structural limits may be more restrictive. Current drawings should carry the selected product code, cross-section, orientation, dimensional tolerance and support layout.
Engineer the panel, span and fixings together
Wind pressure and suction, seismic demand where applicable, impact risk, self-weight, thermal movement and building drift must reach the structure through a defined load path. The facade engineer should verify the ceramic panel, clips, rails, brackets, fasteners, substrates and anchors as a coordinated system. Check positive and negative loading, edge and corner zones, local stresses at fixings and any need for secondary retention.
Panel variables
Profile, orientation, size, span, edge distance, openings, tolerances and fired properties.
Support variables
Clip engagement, rail stiffness, bracket spacing, adjustment, corrosion environment and anchor substrate.
Building variables
Design actions, floor deflection, drift, cavity depth, fire strategy and interfaces.
Thin does not mean fragile, and thick does not automatically mean adequate. Capacity should be demonstrated with current calculations and relevant test evidence for the exact configuration, including the largest modules and most demanding facade zones.
Evaluate recladding and retrofit conditions first
A lighter facing option can be useful where an existing wall or structure has limited reserve capacity, but retrofit design begins with a survey. Record substrate type and condition, plumb variation, cracks, corrosion, moisture, hazardous materials, existing anchors and the geometry around windows, roof edges and ground level. Confirm what can remain and what must be removed.
New brackets may impose concentrated loads that the original wall was never designed to receive. Carry out pull-out or other site tests when specified, coordinate thermal-bridge requirements, and allow enough adjustment for real substrate variation. Plan sequencing, temporary weather protection and occupied-building safety. A representative trial area can validate survey assumptions before full procurement.
Detail the complete ventilated rainscreen
Terracotta is the visible outer layer, not the weather barrier by itself. Draw the cavity, insulation, air and water control layers, flashings, ventilation openings, drainage paths and fire-stopping at a useful scale. Coordinate brackets without creating uncontrolled penetrations or blocking cavity barriers. At windows, parapets, bases, corners and material transitions, show how water is directed outward.
Provide joints that accommodate panel and support movement without allowing units to clash. Check tolerances cumulatively from structure to bracket, rail, clip and ceramic face. Define a practical removal sequence for a damaged panel, especially where adjacent pieces interlock. Access for inspection and replacement should be considered before scaffolding is gone.
Approve performance, finish and production range
Request current evidence appropriate to project location and code: dimensions and tolerances, mass, strength or system capacity, water absorption, freeze-thaw or thermal cycling where relevant, reaction to fire and any required facade-system testing. Reports should identify the actual product, support arrangement and test conditions; a result from another profile or size may not transfer.
Appearance approval needs a representative set of fired panels. Review color and texture range in natural daylight, together with proposed joint width, orientation and adjacent materials. For grooved, corrugated or glazed options, assess water runoff, dirt visibility, reflections and cleaning. A full-size mock-up can combine aesthetic review with junction, installation and maintenance trials.
Specification boundary: broad statements such as weather-resistant, frost-resistant or ideal for retrofit are not universal certifications. State the exposure and acceptance criteria, then require current evidence for the selected 18mm product and engineered assembly.
Build a traceable procurement and QA plan
Issue coordinated elevations, sections, schedules and interface details before ordering. Record approved samples, product codes, profiles, finish range, tolerances, batch strategy, quantities, spares, packing sequence and delivery programme. Inspect incoming panels and subframe components, protect edges during handling, and verify clip engagement and rail alignment during installation.
Keep benchmark panels available on site and define acceptable repair or replacement. Closeout information should identify installed products and include cleaning, inspection and replacement guidance. Explore LOPO’s terracotta rainscreen range, broader architectural terracotta products, and the project gallery.
Check a current 18mm panel option
Send the project location, elevations, panel module and orientation, finish, design actions, support concept, wall build-up, estimated quantity and schedule. LOPO can review current profile availability and prepare relevant samples and technical information for evaluation by the project’s facade professionals.