Wattle and Daub Fixings
What is wattle and daub?
Wattle and daub refers to a building material used for constructing walls. This technique involves creating a woven lattice of wooden strips called wattle, which builders then daub with a sticky mixture of wet soil, clay, animal dung, and straw. Many historical buildings utilize wattle and daub in their construction.
Best Fixings for Heavy Items on Daub Walls?
When mounting radiators, shelving, cupboards, TVs, and other heavy items on daub walls, use GeeFix cavity wall plasterboard fixings. These fixings provide strong and secure support for your installations.
Method of installation
- Drill a Hole: Use a holesaw to create a hole in the wall. Avoid flat bits or spade bits, which can shatter the wattle and daub.
- Insert the Fixing: Place the fixing into the cavity.
- Position the Back Plate: Hold onto the pull cords and position the back plate vertically, ensuring it spans the intact horizontal wooden strips (wattle).
- Secure the Back Plate: While pulling on the nylon cords, insert the center screw. This helps keep the back plate from rotating when you tighten the screw fully.
- Add Side Screws: Insert and tighten the two smaller side screws.
- Mount Your Object: Remove the center screw to mount the desired object.
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History of Wattle and Daub
Wattle and daub is an ancient building technique with a history spanning thousands of years. It involves weaving thin branches into a lattice and filling gaps with a mud, clay, or plaster mixture, referred to as “daub.”
This technique dates back to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans. They utilized wattle and daub not only for walls but also for decorative elements.
In the Middle Ages, wattle and daub gained popularity across Europe. Builders used it for houses, barns, and various structures, especially in rural areas where materials were easily accessible. Churches and other religious buildings also featured this technique.
The use of wattle and daub spread to England and France during the medieval period. In England, it became a staple for building homes and remains integral to the country’s architectural heritage.
In the colonial period, settlers in the United States employed wattle and daub to construct houses and other structures in both the New England and southern colonies.
Today, while the use of wattle and daub has diminished, it still appears in some regions, particularly in rural areas that favor traditional building techniques. Many now appreciate its eco-friendliness and durability, harnessing its natural materials and excellent insulation properties.
Wattle and daub is a historical building technique used by various civilizations for thousands of years. Although its prevalence has decreased, it has enduring value, especially for eco-friendly construction. Its rich history remains an important part of many countries’ architectural legacies.