Wattle and daub
|
| The old wattle and daub construction system found at the 19th century Razboishte monastery, Bulgaria. By MrPanyGoff [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], from Wikimedia Commons |
Wattle and daub is a composite building technique that has be used for wall construction for thousands of years. It consists of a woven lattice (the ‘wattle’) which is daubed with a sticky filler material.
Wattle is typically formed by wooden strips or thin branches woven between upright stakes. Other materials that can be used as wattle include reeds, vines, and bamboo, and it can aso be formed as a loose panels slotted between timber framing.
Daub is typically formed from mud plaster made from a combination of wet soil, clay, sand, animal dung and straw. For more information, see Daub.
Once the daub has been applied to the wattle (sometimes in more than one layer) and left to completely dry, it may be whitewashed to give it better resistance to rain, increase its solar reflectance and enhance its appearance.
Wattle and daub is still used in many regions of the world but in modern architecture it became superseded by lath and plaster for wall and ceiling applications, and more recently by plasterboard. However, it has become more prevalent again with the rise in popularity of sustainable building techniques and materials.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
The 5 elements of seiri, seiton, seiso, seiketsu and shitsuke.
Shading for housing, a design guide
A look back at embedding a new culture of shading.
The Architectural Technology Awards
The AT Awards 2025 are open for entries!
ECA Blueprint for Electrification
The 'mosaic of interconnected challenges' and how to deliver the UK’s Transition to Clean Power.
Grenfell Tower Principal Contractor Award notice
Tower repair and maintenance contractor announced as demolition contractor.
Passivhaus social homes benefit from heat pump service
Sixteen new homes designed and built to achieve Passivhaus constructed in Dumfries & Galloway.
CABE Publishes Results of 2025 Building Control Survey
Concern over lack of understanding of how roles have changed since the introduction of the BSA 2022.
British Architectural Sculpture 1851-1951
A rich heritage of decorative and figurative sculpture. Book review.
A programme to tackle the lack of diversity.
Independent Building Control review panel
Five members of the newly established, Grenfell Tower Inquiry recommended, panel appointed.
Welsh Recharging Electrical Skills Charter progresses
ECA progressing on the ‘asks’ of the Recharging Electrical Skills Charter at the Senedd in Wales.
A brief history from 1890s to 2020s.
CIOB and CORBON combine forces
To elevate professional standards in Nigeria’s construction industry.
Amendment to the GB Energy Bill welcomed by ECA
Move prevents nationally-owned energy company from investing in solar panels produced by modern slavery.
Gregor Harvie argues that AI is state-sanctioned theft of IP.
Experimental AI housing target help for councils
Experimental AI could help councils meet housing targets by digitising records.
BSRIA Occupant Wellbeing survey BOW
Occupant satisfaction and wellbeing tool inc. physical environment, indoor facilities, functionality and accessibility.