Daub
Daub is a sticky composite that has been used as a building material for earth building techniques for over 6,000 years. It is a form of mud plaster made from a combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw.
When used in the technique known as wattle and daub, it is supported by thin branches (wattle) that are woven together. Daub does not have the good insulation properties of straw-bale or clay-straw, but it does provide good thermal mass.
Typically, the component ingredients of daub are a combination of binders which hold it together (clay, lime, chalk dust, and so on), aggregates which provide bulk and stability (subsoil, sand, crushed stone, and so on), and reinforcement which aids flexibility and controls shrinkage (such as straw, hay and other fibrous materials). Daub is usually mixed by hand but traditionally livestock was used to tread it together.
Once the daub has been applied to the wattle (sometimes in more than one layer) it must be left to completely dry before being whitewashed which provides resistance to rain.
Certain regions of the world have continued to use daub as a building material, and it has become more prevalent with the rise in popularity of sustainable building techniques and materials.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
A case study and a warning to would-be developers
Creating four dwellings for people to come home to... after half a century of doing this job, why, oh why, is it so difficult?
Reform of the fire engineering profession
Fire Engineers Advisory Panel: Authoritative Statement, reactions and next steps.
Restoration and renewal of the Palace of Westminster
A complex project of cultural significance from full decant to EMI, opportunities and a potential a way forward.
Apprenticeships and the responsibility we share
Perspectives from the CIOB President as National Apprentice Week comes to a close.
The first line of defence against rain, wind and snow.
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description from the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”