Clay Depot
Use and Extraction of Clay
At the Burgbau, clay is used primarily for infilling timber-framed structures. The material is extracted in the neighbouring village of Töschling.
Preparation and Quality Control
For processing, the clay is mixed with water until it forms a thick, workable paste. This can be done by hand, with the feet, or using a mechanical mixer. The correct consistency for infill work is achieved when a clay ball of approximately 10 cm in diameter is dropped from hip height and deforms slightly on impact.
Lime Burning
During lime burning, the upper section of the kiln – filled with limestone – is covered with a layer of clay during the firing process in order to reduce heat loss.
Roof Tile Production
In future, roof tiles will also be fired.
For this purpose, clay is placed into frames or moulds that are made slightly larger than the finished tiles to account for shrinkage during drying, and then left to pre-dry for several months. The tiles are subsequently fired for several days at temperatures of approximately 800 to 1000 °C.
