Selection checklist · compare evidence, not slogans
Choose a terracotta cladding tile by defining the complete project system
A useful supplier review starts with the exact product, approved appearance, substrate and fixing route, then tests every performance, production and delivery claim against current documents for that project.
Set four boundaries before comparing suppliers
Application
Record interior/exterior use, wall zone, height, orientation, access, exposure, impact risk and the consequence of a loose or broken unit.
System route
Identify adhered, mechanically retained or rainscreen construction and every layer from tile face through the verified backing wall.
Approval basis
Name the current specification, drawings, required standards, test evidence, samples, mock-up and parties authorized to approve deviations.
Procurement scope
Define quantities, corners and specials, spares, batch strategy, packaging, delivery sequence, site handling and replacement needs.
Terracotta cladding tile selection checklist
1. Product identity
Define: current item code, body, intended use, installation route and manufacturer. Request: controlled product data and drawing for the proposed item; do not transfer evidence from another tile, panel, thickness or profile.
2. Surface and colour
Define: natural, sanded, grooved, glazed, printed or coated surface; colour, sheen, texture, direction and intended variation. Approve: identified physical samples and an agreed range under stated viewing conditions. Screen images are not approval samples.
3. Size, geometry and samples
Define: nominal dimensions, thickness, edges, corners, returns, holes/grooves and project tolerances. Verify: manufacturability and measurement method with current samples, coordinated drawings and a representative mock-up where required.
4. Backing wall and interfaces
Map: structure, substrate, levelling, membrane, insulation, cavity, rails, joints, flashings, openings and adjacent materials. Confirm who designs each interface and how construction tolerances and building movement are accommodated.
5. Fixing or adhesion
For mechanical support: verify unit engagement, clips/anchors, rails, substrate, loads, movement, corrosion and replacement. For adhesion: verify substrate preparation, compatible system components, coverage, joints, curing and exposure through project-specific instructions and evidence. Do not combine routes by assumption.
6. Water management
Define: drained/ventilated or sealed strategy, joints, terminations, flashings, penetrations and runoff. A tile face alone does not make the wall watertight; request complete-interface details and any project-required assembly evaluation.
7. Fire and safety evidence
Review: the complete proposed build-up, including adhesive, clips, membranes, insulation, cavity barriers and backing wall. Use only current reports, classifications or approvals whose product, configuration, standard edition and jurisdiction match the decision; do not call an undocumented product “fireproof.”
8. Environmental documents
If required: request the current product-specific EPD, HPD or equivalent project document and check issuer/program, standard, date, geography, declared unit, manufacturing scope and exclusions. Do not infer “green,” low-carbon, non-polluting or recyclable performance without applicable evidence.
9. Production and quality control
Request: current production route, quality plan, batch traceability, inspection/test records, nonconformance control and evidence tied to the proposed item. Equipment photographs, factory area or capacity figures do not by themselves prove delivered quality.
10. Packaging and logistics
Coordinate: quantity take-off, batch separation, identification, protective packaging, pallet/crate limits, transport, unloading, storage, sequencing and spares. Agree how damage, shortage, shade mixing and replacement deliveries will be controlled.
11. Cleaning, maintenance and replacement
Plan: approved cleaners/tools for the exact surface, safe access, inspection triggers, stain and damage response, removal of one unit and replacement-stock identification. No universal cleaning method or maintenance interval is implied.
12. Commercial alignment
Compare like for like: approved product and specials, system-component scope, testing/mock-ups, packaging, freight, duties, site support, lead time, warranties and exclusions. A lower unit price may not represent the same delivered scope or risk allocation.
Build an approval pack that closes each decision
| Evidence group | Check | Approval question |
|---|---|---|
| Product and appearance | Current item data, drawing, finish record, physical samples and range | Do all documents and samples identify the same proposed product and orientation? |
| System engineering | Backing/substrate, fixing or adhesive route, joints, movement, water and replacement details | Is the load/water path complete and is responsibility assigned at every interface? |
| Performance evidence | Named reports/certificates with product, configuration, method, edition, results, limits and validity | Does each document cover the decision being made rather than a similar product or partial assembly? |
| Production and QA | Controlled samples, batch plan, inspection/test plan, traceability and nonconformance route | Can delivered lots be connected to the approved product and required records? |
| Delivery and service | Quantity, packaging, sequence, handling, spares, cleaning, maintenance and replacement information | Can the project receive, install, inspect and replace the product without losing identity or approval? |
What the original January 2017 company page recorded
The former “why choose” article presented experience, facilities and equipment as reasons to select LOPO. Those statements can remain as company-history context, but they need current documents before use in a procurement qualification or capacity decision.
Dated 2017 source statements
- more than 20 years of architectural-terracotta manufacturing experience;
- an 80,000 m² open stockyard and 150,000-ton indoor semi-product storage capacity;
- moulding machines identified in the text as Italian “BONGIOUNNI” equipment, while the image caption describes imported vacuum-extrusion moulding machines;
- an 80 m, five-layer drying line;
- a 260 m roller kiln with 428 firing units; and
- automatic cutting and edge-grinding equipment.
These are transcriptions of a page published on 12 January 2017, not verified current capacity, ownership, equipment status or availability. For present qualification, request a dated facility profile, equipment list, production plan and capacity confirmation for the proposed item and delivery period. The old “largest/most professional” wording and the claim that every index meets or exceeds European standards are not retained.
The old text also named Vanke and China Resources among project partners. That dated statement is not treated here as a current partnership, endorsement or evidence that the pictured buildings use the product under review. Use the project-specific reference record and permissions when a precedent is material to selection.
Stop the approval when evidence does not match
- Do not approve a product from a generic brochure, factory photograph, marketing adjective or unrelated certificate.
- Do not transfer a test result across a different item, thickness, finish, profile, fixing route or complete wall without an accepted technical basis.
- Do not replace a physical colour/finish approval with a screen image.
- Do not treat historical capacity numbers as a current production commitment.
- Record gaps, responsible parties, due dates and authorized disposition before sample, production or installation release.
Send one coordinated selection brief
Include application, product/system route, elevations, quantities, dimensions, finish references, substrate, fixing concept, water/fire requirements, evidence list, programme, destination and packaging constraints.