Term of the Day: Galleting or Gaffering

Galleting (also known as gaffering) is a traditional building technique used in masonry construction, particularly in certain regions of the United Kingdom. It involves inserting small stones or pieces of flint into the mortar joints of stone walls. These small stones, known as "gallets" or "gaffers," serve both decorative and functional purposes. They add texture and visual interest to the wall while also helping to strengthen the mortar joints by reducing the amount of exposed mortar, which can be vulnerable to weathering.

Galleting is often seen in historic buildings, especially those constructed in the 17th and 18th centuries. The technique is most commonly associated with areas where flint and small stones were readily available, such as in the southeastern parts of England.