Do You Stucco?

I have been asked more than once if stucco is common in the UK. My answer is - kind of. We do have a similar finish that goes by the distinctly unattractive name of 'external rendering'. A mix of sand, lime and cement is applied by a hand trowel to the exterior of a building. Sometimes a little colored oxide is added to the formula to provide extra appeal to its appearance. This finish can last for many, many years, and if you don't omit the lime - it won't crack either!  

But there is something even nicer, more attractive and decorative than render. It is not something that is common throughout the UK but is particularly associated with the English counties of Suffolk and Essex. This is pargeting (or pargetting) which is a decorative plaster applied to the exterior of building walls.

 

Pargeting derives from the word 'parget', a Middle English term that most likely comes from the Old French 'pargeter' or 'parjeter' meaning 'to throw about'. In the 14th century, pargeting was being used in South-East England to decorate the exterior of timber-framed buildings.

As a type of decorative plastering, pargeting can be used to create a wide range of geometric shapes and during the reign of Elizabeth I, figures, birds and foliage were common designs. The technique can also be used for practical applications, such as creating a smooth surface (as on this lighthouse) on a wall that would otherwise appear quite rough.

The basic process of pargeting involves the application of wet plaster to a section of wall. Typically, the plaster is held in position with the use of a series of pegs or nails that provide enough support for the wet plaster while still making it possible to shape the material using the hands or even various types of tools. The formation of the decorative elements continues for as long as the plaster remains somewhat malleable, with the time frame varying based on the ingredients in the plaster mix along with the prevailing weather conditions. When successful, pargeting can add a great deal of visual interest to walls.

Off to have a cuppa, enjoy the pictures!  Wendy