Which materials are used to construct houses using the wattle and daub process (which is a very old traditional method of building)?
The wattle and daub process is indeed an ancient method of building houses that dates back thousands of years. It involves constructing a framework using wooden strips called "wattle," and then filling the gaps with a mixture of soil, clay, sand, and organic materials called "daub." Here are the materials used in the wattle and daub construction process:
1. Wattle: The framework is made of wooden strips, typically sourced from local, flexible and easily available materials such as branches, saplings, or split logs. Common types of wood used include willow, hazel, oak, or chestnut.
2. Daub: The daub is a mixture of various materials that form the infill between the wooden strips. The precise composition can vary depending on the local availability and environmental conditions. The typical ingredients include:
- Soil: Soil with suitable clay content is usually used as the primary component. The clay acts as a binder and provides tensile strength as it dries and hardens.
- Organic material: To improve the structural integrity and insulation properties of daub, organic materials like straw, hay, mud, animal dung, or even horsehair are incorporated.
- Sand: Some regions add sand to the mixture to enhance the daub's workability and reduce cracking during drying.
- Water: Water is added to make the mixture moist and workable.
These materials, along with basic tools like axes, saws, knives, and a ladder, were used by ancient civilizations to construct durable and low-cost buildings through the wattle and daub process.