Building Materials - Tepetate Journey

Tepetate is a granular material derived from a clay found in thick mantos and open-pit massifs. Tepetate is light and has a yellowish color.

Because tepetate is porous, it is an excellent material for absorbing water and also serves as an insulator, which is why in many cities with extreme climates it is used to make bricks. 

The extraction of tepetate is simple and can be done with a pick and shovel, since it is a very light material; that is why tepetate is ideal for use as a filler for mezzanine floors. Due to its light weight, tepetate often replaces tezontle. Tepetate is also used to fill bathrooms, as fine aggregate and as mentioned above, tepetate is used for the construction of ashlars for walls (it is advisable to alternate it with red brick for greater strength). 

Tepetate is used in construction mainly as filler. The cost of tepetate is low and that is why it is one of the aggregates preferred by builders for compacting.