Terra-cotta Gargoyles

Gargoyles are key features of many Gothic buildings and cathedrals. While most people would describe gargoyles as depictions of monsters, there is debate about whether they are meant to represent actual creatures, mythological dragons, or biblical figures. Whatever inspired them, gargoyles have a single purpose when placed on houses of worship: to ward away evil spirits.

When architectural gargoyles first began appearing on Gothic structures, they were routinely crafted of terra cotta. Despite their imposing appearance, architectural gargoyles were often the first elements on buildings to sustain damage and begin to deteriorate. Over the decades, many terracotta gargoyles have been completely destroyed.

Gargoyles are particularly susceptible to damage for two main reasons. First, because gargoyles protrude from the faces of buildings, they are more exposed to rain, snow, sleet, and hail. Second, terra cotta gargoyles were routinely anchored to buildings with raw steel angles and bronze rods. Once moisture penetrated gargoyles and the metal began to rust and swell, the surrounding architectural terra cotta also sustained damage.

If your building has an architectural gargoyle that has sustained slight damage or now barely resembles the formidable figure that was first created in terra cotta many years ago, TerraGlas can help. We use versatile fiberglass reinforced terra cotta to complete restorations and vastly improve the appearance of terra cotta gargoyles. Glass fiber reinforced terra cotta – also known as TerraGlas:

• Is made with actual terra cotta clays and reinforced with glass fibers to provide a completely authentic look and impressive strength.
• Is lightweight and will reduce loads on buildings.
• Can be cast in molds to achieve precise and detailed results.
• Will stand up impressively to harsh climates, moisture, and freeze-thaw cycles.
• Can be installed with confidence in earthquake and hurricane-prone regions.

Although having a great material to complete gargoyle restoration projects is essential for optimal results, it’s only the beginning. A company also needs to have a refined process designed to deliver exactly the results the client had in mind. TerraGlas excels in this area as well. Our gargoyle restoration process has been refined and perfected over the years to ensure customer satisfaction. We can make seamless repairs and produce historical replications that are identical in appearance to original architectural terra cotta gargoyles in every possible way. Some of the highlights of our terra cotta gargoyle restoration and renovation process are:

• TerraGlas can take molds from the existing terracotta gargoyle to produce replacement sections and pieces. If the terra cotta gargoyle has been destroyed, a replacement can often be sculpted from drawings or photos.
• TerraGlas has over 10,000 patterns of historic terra cotta elements produced during the heyday of terracotta. The architectural gargoyle you want to replace may be included in this collection.
• TerraGlas can examine the condition of metal braces and anchors to determine whether they should be replaced with rust-resistant metals such as stainless or galvanized steel to reduce the risk of future damage.
• Our design experts can develop CAD drawings and models so you can provide feedback and request alterations before the mold is poured.

Many clients hire us to recreate or renovate historic terra cotta gargoyles for Gothic buildings, but we can also create entirely new custom terra cotta gargoyles in TerraGlas for modern structures inspired by Gothic architecture. We can cast in textures and details, and glazes and finishes are available in almost any color you can conceive. Whether you want to bring the past back to life or add a terra cotta gargoyle that will retain its impressive appearance well into the future, TerraGlas can help. Contact us to find out more.