Two recent trends in New York City have combined to increase the demand for new architectural terra cotta. The Department of Buildings (DOB) has become stricter regarding allowable repairs and re repairs to existing terra cotta and in 2019, the Landmarks Preservation Commission’s (LPC) rules regarding the replacement of terra cotta were tightened. Terra cotta must now be replaced in-kind below the 6th floor and on individually designated landmarks, increasing the demand for replication material. With only 2 major terra cotta suppliers in the United States replacement terra cotta currently has lead times approaching one year. When material costs and lead times are not workable for owners a viable alternative is to use substitute materials.This white paper introduces the available substitute material options including Architectural Precast Concrete, Cast Stone, Glass Fiber Reinforced Concrete (GFRC), Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP), Natural Stone and Polymer-Based Composite Concrete (Microcotta). The whitepaper also provides a simple comparison of these materials identifying the strengths, costs, lead times, and limitations of each.Download via the button below.