Wall panel selection begins by defining what the panel must do. An interior partition, structural wall unit, exterior rainscreen facing and glass-fibre-reinforced concrete element have different materials, supports and evidence. A useful decision process compares exact products and complete assemblies rather than treating every “wall panel” as equivalent.
Define the wall role and limits
State whether the proposed element is structural or non-load-bearing, internal or external, a finished facing or part of an enclosure assembly. Record building use and height, location, substrate, exposure, required fire strategy, environmental separation, impact risk and maintenance access. Do not ask a finish panel to perform an undefined structural or weatherproofing role.
Prepare a responsibility matrix for architect, structural and facade engineers, fire consultant, manufacturer, system supplier, installer and inspector. Assign calculations, drawings, tests, interface coordination and approvals. Different panel families may shift these roles, so include responsibility in the technical comparison.
For an exterior facing, identify the backup wall, cavity, insulation, membrane, fire barriers and openings. For a partition, identify support, services, impact, acoustic and fire requirements. Each application needs its own drawings and approval route even when the visible materials appear similar.
Name the exact material and product
Terracotta rainscreen
Typically a fired-clay facing with profile-specific clips and rails; confirm section, mass, tolerances, finish and system compatibility.
GRC or GFRC
A cement-based composite with glass-fibre reinforcement; review its own formulation, panel engineering, anchors, joints and production evidence.
Tile or brick facing
Define unit geometry, mechanical or bonded installation, substrate, joints, movement and exterior-use limits.
Structural or partition unit
Identify load-bearing status, connections, services and code evidence; do not infer these from a cladding product.
Use manufacturer, code, current drawing, dimensions, unit mass, finish, edge or rear geometry and intended installation method in the comparison. Resolve legacy terms before tender. The terracotta rainscreen range can orient a fired-clay discussion without defining other wall-panel families.
Compare structural criteria consistently
Provide project wind, self-weight, seismic demand where applicable, impact requirements, support conditions and substrate tolerances to the responsible engineer. Ask for calculations and test evidence for the exact product, size, orientation, span, anchors and support layout. A general weight ratio or informal drop demonstration is not a design value.
Review panel strength, connection behaviour, edge restraint, movement, replacement and falling-object risk. The complete load path should be visible from facing through clips or anchors to structure. If two products use different support concepts, compare the engineered assembly rather than isolated material numbers.
Separate wall performance by function
Create a matrix for fire, water, air, thermal, acoustic, durability and impact requirements. Mark whether evidence applies to the unit, joint, fixing, cavity layer or whole assembly. Open-jointed cladding, for example, needs drainage and a protected backup wall; the facing alone should not be described as waterproof.
Check method, standard edition, acceptance criterion, report date, specimen identity, support and scope. Fire or acoustic evidence for one panel type cannot be transferred to another without a documented basis. Avoid translating “high performance” into approval unless each required property is measurable and verified.
Approve appearance at the correct scale
Set colour, texture, gloss, module, orientation, joints, corners and acceptable variation. Fired clay, pigmented cement and coated products have different visual ranges and weathering questions. Review multiple current samples, then full units and a representative mock-up under project light with adjacent materials.
Record control samples and inspection lighting. Include cut edges, returns, repair expectations and replacement units. A surface that looks similar in a small photograph may have a different relief, joint rhythm or edge condition once installed across a facade.
Evaluate installation and maintenance methods
Compare survey, substrate preparation, supports, adjustment, jointing, cavity work, weather restrictions, lifting, access and inspections. Installation speed should be calculated from a project method and programme, not an archived multiplier. Identify installer qualifications and manufacturer support required by the proposed system.
Plan safe cleaning, repair and unit replacement. Consider how concealed components are inspected and whether one damaged unit can be removed without disturbing neighbours. Use the terracotta installation workflow only for the relevant system and subject to project engineering.
Issue a comparable wall-panel decision record
Normalize product, supports, engineering, tests, samples, mock-ups, specials, packing, freight, installation, access, programme and spares. Score architectural fit, technical evidence, interface risk, quality plan, service and installed value. Record assumptions, exclusions and unresolved items.
Where uncertainty remains, commission focused samples, calculations or mock-ups before final selection. Define the question and acceptance criterion for each exercise. Testing two non-equivalent specimens or judging one polished sample against another product’s full range will not produce a fair decision.
Before selection, align the product schedule, drawings, calculations, reports, samples, responsibility matrix and quotation. Record the selected option, rejected alternatives and reasons. Keep the final decision basis with handover records so later substitutions can be assessed against the approved wall role rather than a generic product name.