Terracotta translates as "baked earth," and it refers to tiles created from a particularly porous and easily shaped clay with a high iron content that gives the roofing tiles their characteristic reddish/brown color.

Terracotta is fired at a relatively low temperature (around 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit), and its surface remains quite porous unless it is glazed.

Terracotta roofing tile is readily available and less expensive than many other forms of concrete roof tiles . Also the clay roof tiles are lighter by up to 40%. This allows them to be installed on lighter roof structures that cannot support the weight of concrete roof tiles.

 Clay roof tiles disperse 70 percent less heat into the house during the summer months. Its popularity stems largely from its attractive natural colors, which are the very epitome of earth-tones.