Jali screens aren't just decorative. They provide ventilation, privacy, and light control that no metal grill or glass window can match. Here's a guide to all 19 patterns.
What Is Terracotta Jali?
Jali (also spelled jaali or jalee) is a perforated screen — traditionally in stone or terracotta — used in Indian architecture to control light, ventilation, and visibility. In Kerala homes, terracotta jali is most commonly found in:
- Compound walls and boundary screens
- Balcony railings
- Above windows and doors (ventilation panels)
- Interior partition screens
- Courtyard walls
Dust-Process vs Wet-Process Jali
Dust-process jali (15 patterns): Lighter, slightly more uniform. Better for interior use and light colour.
Wet-process jali (4 patterns): Slightly heavier, deeper terracotta colour. Better for exterior use in coastal or high-humidity areas.
Our 15 Dust-Process Patterns
- Amber — Geometric diamond with circular cut. Most popular for compound walls.
- Opal — Oval openings in grid pattern. Good for coastal breeze areas.
- Petal — Flower petal openings. Preferred for interior partition screens.
- Zebra — Horizontal stripe cuts. Creates dramatic light/shadow at specific sun angles.
- Camp — Diamond with triangular cuts. Heritage look.
- Lilly — Lily flower cutout. Traditional Kerala pattern.
- TV — Square with rounded corners. Modern minimalist style.
- Zebra 2 — Wider stripes than standard Zebra. Better airflow.
- Cubic — 3D cube illusion pattern. Architectural feature walls.
- Slice — Vertical slice cuts. Clean, contemporary look.
- Pearl — Circular pearl pattern. Feminine, elegant feel.
- Topaz — Hexagonal pattern. Honeycomb effect.
- Edan — Abstract organic pattern. Interior art pieces.
- Triangle — Triangle cutouts in offset grid. Geometric art deco.
- Ventilator — Maximum airflow pattern. Above windows and doors.
4 Wet-Process Patterns
- Wet Petal — Deeper, bolder version of Petal.
- Wet Pearl — Heavier version for outdoor compound walls.
- 5-Hole — Five-opening pattern. High airflow.
- Diamond Wet — Standard diamond in wet-process clay.
Choosing the Right Pattern
| Use Case | Best Pattern |
|---|---|
| Compound wall privacy screen | Amber, Zebra |
| Maximum ventilation | Ventilator, 5-Hole, Opal |
| Interior partition | Petal, Cubic, Edan |
| Heritage/nalukettu home | Lilly, Camp, Diamond |
| Modern villa/hotel | Slice, TV, Topaz |
| Balcony railing | Pearl, Zebra, Amber |
Installation Notes
- All jali panels: 8×8 inches (standard) or 9×6 inches
- Mortar bedded, same as brick laying (1:4 cement:sand)
- Order 15% extra for edge cutting
- Custom jali patterns available (200 pcs minimum)
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