Wattleanddaub

Wattle and daub is a traditional building technique in which a woven lattice of wooden strips (wattle) is daubed with a sticky mixture (daub) such as mud, clay, soil, straw, and sometimes animal dung or lime plaster.

The wattle framework is created by interlacing thin branches or pliable twigs between uprights, forming panels that are then filled with daub in layers. The daub binds the structure and provides a solid wall surface; lime plaster may be applied for durability and weatherproofing.

Materials vary by region: earth-based daub with clay, sand and organic fiber in many temperate areas; lime-based daub on drier soils; straw or hair can improve crack resistance.

History and distribution: Wattle and daub is among the oldest building methods, attested in ancient civilizations and widely used in Europe during the medieval period, as well as in Africa, Asia, and the Americas. It is commonly found in timber-frame houses, cottages, and vernacular architecture.

Advantages and challenges: It uses local materials, is inexpensive, and provides good insulation. It is relatively lightweight but susceptible to moisture and insect damage; needs regular maintenance and proper sheltering from water. Fire resistance is usually modest unless protected by lime plaster.

Modern use: It remains employed in restoration projects and in ecological or cost-conscious construction, sometimes combined with modern air-dried plasters or engineered timber, and is studied by archaeologists for historical building techniques.