WATTLE and DAUB
A TRADITIONAL CRAFT, CAREFULLY PRESERVED
Churchgate Heritage specialises in the repair and conservation of wattle and daub panels in listed and historic properties across West Sussex. This traditional building technique uses a framework of woven branches or laths (the wattle), coated with a mixture of earth, clay and other fibres (the daub) to form wall panels.
Over time, these panels can deteriorate through moisture, movement or damage to their timber framework and infill. Our approach is to preserve as much of the original material as possible, carrying out sympathetic repairs that retain the character and authenticity of the building.
Explore below to see how we can help restore the wattle and daub panels in your home.
There are excellent publicly available resources on wattle and daub and its use in traditional buildings, as well as a range of other topics related to the conservation of historic buildings in the UK. If you're interested in learning more, please have a look at our Blog.
WATTLE REPAIR
Cracked or collapsed wattle and daub panels can result from weakness in the underlying wattle framework, deterioration of the daub, or a combination of both. The wattle framework typically consists of interwoven laths, hazel rods, or other wooden ties woven around vertical or horizontal staves, or secured into grooves within adjacent timber beams or posts. This structure acts as a scaffold, providing stability and support for the daub.
Our restoration process begins with a careful assessment of the damage to determine the root cause. Damaged daub is then carefully removed, and the underlying wattle framework is repaired or reinforced as needed. This may involve replacing or securing wooden ties and staves using traditional materials, such as oak, riven laths, or hazel, fastened with stainless steel screws for durability.
Wherever possible, we recycle the original daub by dampening and reusing it. If necessary, fresh daub is added to ensure the repaired panel has the strength and flexibility needed to prevent future cracking.
To complete the restoration, we apply a lime plaster finish for internal walls or a lime render for external walls, ensuring the repaired panel is both functional and visually consistent with the original structure.
See also Lime Plaster and our Blog.
RESTORATION OF DAUB PANELS
Over time, daub panels can deteriorate due to water damage, rodent activity, or the natural movement of the building. This may lead to cracks, crumbling, or even the collapse of the panel as the underlying wattle or daub weakens.
We specialise in repairing and restoring daub panels, whether by patching damaged areas or completely re-daubing an entire panel when necessary. Wherever possible, we recycle the original daub by breaking it down, dampening it, and reusing it. In some cases, we mix the original material with fresh daub to ensure it has the right balance of clay and aggregate to maintain durability and minimise cracking during drying.
Daub is traditionally made from subsoil, clay, aggregate, and straw, and it is carefully pressed into place by hand. Once the repairs are complete, we finish the panels with a fresh coat of lime plaster or render, matched meticulously to the original appearance to maintain the building’s authenticity.
See also Lime Plaster and our Blog.