A sound terra cotta wall panel selection starts by verifying what the product actually is and where it will be used. Fired clay, timber, composite boards, concrete panels and thin finishes have different properties, test routes and support systems. Once identity is clear, compare candidates against the project brief, complete assembly, current evidence and commercial scope—not an unsupported “best selection” claim.
Gate 1: verify material identity and intended use
Request product name, code, composition or body description, manufacturing route, section, dimensions, mass, finish, factory and declared application. State whether the requirement is an exterior rainscreen panel, interior finish, tile, brick, screen element or another product. Similar marketing names do not make unlike materials equivalent.
Check data sheets, samples and drawings for consistent identity. If a page describes “terracotta” but attributes performance to wooden structure or another material, stop the comparison and resolve the mismatch. A quotation should name the exact product and system proposed rather than repeating the generic words used in the enquiry.
Gate 2: write an application-specific brief
Exterior
Record climate, height, orientation, rain exposure, substrate, actions, fire route, drainage, maintenance access and interfaces.
Interior
Record room use, substrate, fixing route, impact, cleaning, moisture, fire, acoustic intent, indoor-material criteria and accessibility.
Define architectural intent through module, joints, colour range, texture, gloss, depth and viewing distance. Then list measurable performance requirements separately. A panel can provide the desired surface while the complete wall or lining carries structural, thermal, acoustic, fire, moisture and safety functions. Assign each function to a component and responsible designer.
Gate 3: screen every benefit claim for evidence
| Claim | Question to ask | Boundary to record |
|---|---|---|
| Sound control | Was a complete assembly tested, and to which method? | Panel, cavity, insulation, substrate, joints and rating |
| Thermal comfort | Which build-up and design calculation support the outcome? | Whole wall, climate, controls and room conditions |
| Fire | What product classification and assembly evidence are required? | Exact finish, supports, adhesives and adjacent layers |
| Health or environment | Which current disclosure, test or declaration supports the statement? | Product, factory, reporting period, method and verifier |
Do not translate “natural” into radiation shielding, humidity control, improved sleep or a healthy interior. Those outcomes involve exposure, assembly, ventilation, building services and occupants. Similarly, impact and scratch resistance need a defined test and use condition; a surface result does not prove that every installed panel is damage-proof.
Gate 4: compare candidates on one controlled schedule
Create one row per candidate and fixed columns for product identity, dimensions, mass, finish, tolerances, attachment, current reports, sample status, manufacturing source, lead time, quantity, exclusions and price basis. Mark information confirmed, conditional or missing. Do not award an advantage where one supplier supplied data and another field was simply left blank.
Weight the schedule before commercial proposals arrive, and distinguish pass-or-fail requirements from scored preferences. Record who assigned the weights and why. If the project priorities change, revise the matrix openly rather than adjusting scores to justify a preferred product after review.
For fired-clay products, the current ISO 10545-2 provides dimensional and surface-quality methods for ceramic tiles. Confirm scope and specimen requirements before citing it for a wall panel, then add profile-specific checks such as bow, twist, edge position, support datum and attachment fit. Use current reports tied to the proposed family.
Gate 5: test appearance and buildability physically
Move from palette samples to full-size units and then a representative assembly. Review colour range, texture direction, gloss, edges, joint shadow, corners and repeated variation. Label retained samples with product code, finish, factory, date and approval status. One perfect piece should not define an intentionally varied production range.
The representative assembly should include proposed supports, joints, background and key interfaces. Check adjustment, tolerances, attachment access, replacement, cleaning and distance views. Record which comments are visual and which require engineering. A sample approved for colour does not release the system for production.
Gate 6: review supplier capability and commercial scope
Verify current legal identity, named factory, relevant product experience, quality controls, current certificates where required, order-specific capacity and responsible technical contacts. Ask who provides shop drawings, calculations, tests, samples, supports, packing, freight, site advice and warranty. Historical sales reach or brand ranking is not current qualification evidence.
Compare landed and installed scope rather than a unit price. Include tooling, specials, supports, anchors, representative assembly, tests, overage, racks, freight, storage, breakage, access and replacement. Record currency, quantity, taxes, Incoterms where relevant, validity, programme assumptions and exclusions. A lower price may simply contain fewer responsibilities.
Gate 7: issue a reasoned selection record
Summarize the project criteria, candidates, weights, evidence, sample reviews, risks, exceptions and selected basis. List open items with owners and due dates, and state which change triggers renewed review. Link the decision to the product schedule and latest documents so the final order cannot quietly substitute another item.
The archived article dated 2 December 2013 called LOPO the most professional manufacturer and its wall panel the best or first choice. It mixed terracotta with wood, and claimed radiation protection, eye and sleep benefits, a 29 dB result, warmth, cooling, humidity regulation, superior impact and wear, health and environmental benefits without adequate source or assembly definition. These are historical marketing statements, not current evidence. Review current terracotta product categories and the project gallery, then run the selection gates on the exact proposal.