The terracotta fireplace slabs provide moderate and careful use. These backdrops are made of refractory earth therefore able to withstand the heat of the fire.
But we must remember that the use must be careful and delicate, for example, when the slab is cold you can not suddenly light a particularly aggressive fire. The terracotta slab should be heated slowly for at least 4/5 minutes.
Another practice to avoid is to throw wood in the fire, when the slab is very hot, a slight blow creates the breaking of the terracotta.