Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Rough wattlework
Rough wattlework has been done in
birch, ash, pussy willow and rowan.
The bark is removed and the ends
burned until they are black, achieving
a sort of impregnation. The usual
length of branches to be plaited is
about 3-4 m. Poles are fixed between
the top and bottom plates at a distance
of about 50-60 cm, then the branches
are woven in between so that the top
ends and root ends alternate. The lay-
ers are pushed down to make them
compact. Weaving can also be vertical
on poles fixed between vertical
studwork.
In Denmark and further south in
Europe this wattlework is used as an
underlay for clay finishing between the
posts in timber-framed buildings. In its
pure form this technique can be used for visual barriers or windbreaks on terraces and
balconies, or for walling in sheds, etc.
Figure 15.23: Detail of bracken cladding. Source: Dag Roalkvam
Lighter wattlework
Lighter wattlework consists of twigs, usually juniper with leaves, but birch and heather can
also be used. The juniper is cut around midsummer, as that is when the twigs are tough-
est and the needles most firmly attached to the tree. The same can be said for birch, which
can also be used with the leaves attached.
Branches of about 50 cm in length and 1-1.5 cm thickness are cut and woven on
horizontal poles at 20 cm intervals so that each branch lies inside one pole and out-
side two. The tops hang wide apart enough so that the cladding forms three layers,
two layers outside and one layer inside each pole. The wattlework is pushed togeth-
er with a hammer to make it tight. An extra branch of juniper put straight across, over
the poles on the outside, increases the strength of the wall. Finally the wall is cut, and
battens placed against the roof and on the corners so that the wind cannot lift it. At
first the cladding is green; in time it becomes brown and dark grey, and after 30 years
so much wild moss grows that it becomes green again. The main use of light wattle-
work is as cladding for outhouses built of staves, but juniper clad wood stores and
even log houses also exist, and the cladding acts as a very good protection against
all weathers.
With the introduction of building paper and wind-proof boarding, wattlework can be
seen as a viable alternative cladding. The wind-proofing qualities are then not so
important, but the visual qualities and durability of this sort of cladding brings advan-
tages.
Examples show that wattle-cladding is as effective and durable as timber cladding.
Juniper cladding is particularly good, and has had a functional life span of between 50
and 60 years, and even up to 100 years in the western fjord landscape of Norway. During
a period of this length in this particular area, it is usual to change timber panelling at least
