Terracotta roof painting: suitability first

Why terracotta needs separate assessment

Terracotta may be glazed, unglazed, sealed, weathered or previously coated. These surfaces differ in porosity and adhesion. A system suitable for concrete tiles should not automatically be specified for terracotta.

Questions before any quote

• Are the tiles glazed or unglazed?
• Has the roof been sealed or painted before?
• Is the surface powdery, flaking or delaminating?
• Are tiles cracked or structurally weakened?
• What does the proposed coating manufacturer specify?

Alternatives to painting

Depending on the roof, professional cleaning, targeted repairs or replacement may be more appropriate. The objective should be a sound roofing outcome, not forcing every surface into a repaint package.