Pargeting is decorative render applied to the facades of buildings. Its use dates back many centuries. Whilst it may comprise simple patterns scratched into the surface when soft, exuberant hand-modelled forms became particularly fashionable in the 17th century. They were inspired by work on Henry VIII’s ostentatious Nonsuch Palace in Surrey following a renaissance in classical design.

After declining in favour during the Georgian period, pargeting enjoyed a revival with the Arts and Crafts Movement towards the end of the Victorian period. 19th- 20th century examples tend to be more precise and less rustic in character than earlier pargeting. The tradition remains very much alive in East Anglia, although previously it had a much greater geographical distribution.

An example of pargeting in Essex

Incised pargeting includes ‘stick work’ and ‘combed work’, whereby a stick, bundle of sticks, wooden comb, or perhaps a saw blade, fork or nail, are used to create simple designs. One is ‘sparrow picking’, where the surface is pricked to give a series of rhythmic stab-holes. Others comprise ropes and birds’ feet. A further form of incised pargeting is ‘pressed work’, which entails repeatedly impressing patterns into the wall using stamps or rollers. Popular designs are fantails, chevrons and reeded squares. Some late-20th-century pressed work has a harsh, overly mechanical look on older buildings.

Be sure to retain the maximum amount of old pargeting possible instead of replacing it to look like new. It is important, of course, to deal with the cause of any defects first. With pre-Victorian work especially, lime mortar should be used rather than cement. The SPAB may be able to advise on the names of specialists. Cracks should be filled with a suitable render mix and, where appropriate, grouting (liquid mortar). Where pargeting is loose – perhaps due to water ingress, structural movement or the weight of ornamentation pulling it away – it can frequently be re-attached. It may be necessary to temporarily remove detaching areas to repair the material behind the surface beforehand. When patching, it can sometimes be preferable to use plain render or a sympathetic variation on the existing design rather than trying to copy exactly what exists.