Cement vs terracotta: what’s better for your space?

Terracotta refers to an object made by firing, or baking, clay. These items, typically vases and vessels, display earth-toned hues. The word terracotta, by the way, is of Italian origin: “terra,” meaning “earth,” and “cotta,” meaning “baked.” Putting those two words together, terracotta roughly translates to baked earth. 

The use of earth, or natural clay, is one of the symbols of civilization. Ancient kingdoms and empires have created different types of terracotta pots, both practical and decorative. Although the term terracotta might conjure up images of objects made by Roman and Chinese artisans, in truth, clay pots have been found throughout the world. 

Indeed, archaeologists have found pottery that dates back over 5,000 years. One of the other noteworthy discoveries, of course, is the Terracotta Army in China. More than 7,000 lifelike sculptures, each with different details, demonstrate the versatility of terracotta. 

Along with other ancient states from present-day countries like Egypt, the Philippines also, at some point, served as the homeland of different kingdoms. These produced high-quality export terracotta products. The clay jars that came from Luzon — an island in the Philippines — were prized by the Japanese because of the object’s ability to preserve tea.

In fact, the ability of these products to keep tea fresh led to Philippine-sourced items becoming a status symbol among the 16th-century Japanese elite. 

Although terracotta never really went away, its use as a material for house furnishings and houseware changed with the popularity of other substances. One of these is cement. 

The rise of cement-based home furnishings and housewares

Similar to terracotta, cement has long been used by ancient civilizations. 

One major difference between the two, though, is that the latter is utilized more for construction. The Romans are an example of a civilization that greatly used cement to build infrastructure. Some of these wonders include the Pantheon and the Colosseum. The mixture of lime and volcanic ash allowed these marvels to stand the test of time. The ancient Greeks and Macedonians also used cement to build architectural wonders. 

Decorative cement-based objects only became a recent possibility. In 1915, the late Chicago engineer and inventor Mason Scofield created products that allowed designers to incorporate colors and sealers into their work. 

In addition, around the same time, Thomas Edison, the great inventor, popularized the concept of concrete houses. His vision of a neighborhood of concrete does not just include the exterior of homes. Edison also believed that cement furniture was the future. And so he created multiple cement-based items to demonstrate his vision, including pianos, bedroom sets, and phonographs. 

The Americans were not the only people during the 20th century who were experimenting with cement as a decorative material. French designers were also using it to create faux bois. Also known as “false wood,” these objects are designed to look like tree branches and roots. Unlike wood, though, these cement-based decorations allow people to avoid termite infestations or wood decay. 

Nowadays, companies such as Markenjes have created products that make use of the practical and durable elements of cement. The development of this and other materials led to terracotta being discarded for cheaper alternatives. But despite the proliferation of objects like cement planters, home furnishings and housewares made using natural clay remain a core component of different spaces. 

The enduring place of terracotta

Like other materials, the look and feel of cement do not appeal to all property owners. Many still want terracotta, with its porous nature and unglazed look, to be part of their spaces. This is not surprising. Terracotta objects have been used for centuries for practical and ornamental purposes. 

One of its practical uses is in construction. Terracotta serves as one of the oldest building materials that remains utilized in modern times. It can regulate indoor temperatures and endure long periods of time. The fact that it is recyclable means that property owners will continue to use the material to craft items such as planters and vases. 

People are also more conscious of their health nowadays. The zero presence of harmful chemicals, like lead and cadmium, in most terracotta products ensures that many discerning property owners are switching from using plastic to using natural clay. 

The dangers of lead, in particular, are something that governments, businesses, and individuals are aware of. This element is often used to glaze ceramic products. However, if the lead in planters or vases leeches, its exposure to children may cause them to sustain damage to their nervous systems. This leads to hearing, speech, and learning problems. 

What should you use, cement or terracotta?

Ultimately, the choice between the two materials depends on your wants and needs. Both have their advantages and drawbacks.

Let’s start with terracotta. Its chemical structure creates ions that reduce the amount of grime it absorbs. This means that you don’t really have to spend a lot of time and resources maintaining natural clay pots. In fact, using a power wash to clean the dirt off once every ten years might be enough for some planters. 

Terracotta-based objects are also durable, which makes them recyclable. Pots dating back thousands of years have been found by archaeologists, so it goes without saying that with some level of maintenance, your garden planters and indoor vases will last at least a lifetime. 

This mixture of durability and recyclability may make you believe that natural clay objects are expensive. But that is far from the truth. Terracotta is affordable. Some planters and vases are even available at second-hand stores that still feel and look as good as new. 

One thing that many property owners who reside in hot climates appreciate is the suitability of terracotta objects in heat-prone areas. Planters made from natural clay are also porous. This means that plants have less danger of dying from overwatering. 

Objects made from terracotta, however, have their disadvantages. If you live in a cold climate, for instance, the frost can break or crack some planters. The porousness of these objects might also mean that plants that require a lot of moisture, like irises and ferns, cannot thrive in terracotta planters and vases. 

From a business standpoint, you might also wait a while before a natural clay object is completed. According to a US-based ceramics supplier, terracotta-based items take anywhere from 25 to 39 days to create.

Pros of terracotta

Cons of terracotta

Reduces grime 

Not suitable for cold climates

Durable and recyclable

Takes almost or more than a month to finish

Porous

Suitable for hot climates

Plants that require a lot of moisture may not thrive

Affordable 

Cement has almost the same advantages as terracotta. Cement-based objects are easily maintained. They also present a rustic look that allows property owners to pair the minimalist vibe of cement planters and vases with a variety of textures. 

The elegant curves and clean lines of cement-based objects additionally mean that it is easy to achieve a look of understated sophistication. 

Some property owners may think that cement is very difficult to mold into desired shapes, like clay. And for a while, many designers struggled to create pieces that did not look “blocky.” However, through fiber-cement, people can now enjoy cement with a dynamic appearance. Indeed, according to Tina Rugelj — a Slovenia-based architect — that “before hardening, fiber-cement is a highly moldable material.” 

This material is the reason why Markenjes was able to create export-quality products with a variety of shapes. From planters with blossom-like necks to vases with curvaceous bodies, fiber-cement helps designers achieve forms once thought impossible to create. It also only takes 3-4 days before a planter, for example, is ready for use. 

The lightweight nature of cement also ensures that you can easily reposition your furniture. Whether you want to place it inside your home or out in the sun, a cement-based object looks great. 

Speaking of outside, cement is known to perform better in open-air surroundings compared to, say, granite. The enduring quality of cement-based items means that they don’t require special care beyond occasional cleaning with soap and water. 

Not all property owners appreciate cement. And there are certainly qualities that may make the material fall short for some. For instance, some cement planters are not porous. This means that, if you are not careful with how you water your plants, their roots could end up rotting because of too much moisture. 

The rough and raw appearance of some cement-based objects can also turn you off. Outdoor cement planters may look right at home in your garden. But the roughness can derail the vibe you are aiming for in your indoor spaces.

Pros of cement

Cons of cement

Durable and recyclable 

Some planters may not be porous 

Affordable 

Easy to clean and maintain

Rough and raw appearance can turn some off

Relatively lightweight

Fiber-cement is highly moldable before hardening

Takes around 3-4 days to finish a product

Find a furniture supplier in Markenjes

Looking for a supplier experienced with furniture export from Philippines? Discover a company committed to producing cost-effective, earth-friendly, and handcrafted products. Markenjes Marketing Co. has been participating in the Philippine furniture export scene for the last seven years. 

Discover handcrafted objects that elevate any space. Email info@markenjesmarketing.com
or call Kris at +63-960-688-6846 for more info.