20 Trailblazers Setting The Standard In London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination with the windows in London that were bricked up has evolved into an investigation of the role that light and air play in wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked a turning point in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the architecture and the introduction of sash window.
What is a Window?
A window is an opening in a door, wall or roof to admit light and air. It is usually covered and spanned by panes of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window may also be described as a window light, window aperture or window pane.
There are many different kinds of windows, however the ones most often associated with London are sash windows. They are vertically opening windows that open with the sliding mechanism. They are still a common feature in many older homes, but they are less common in the newer constructions. Modern double glazed sash Windows are constructed from uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows however, they provide more insulation.
Sash windows are distinct and were initially invented as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. They are distinguished by two sashes which move up and down within the frame, and they overlap when they are open. The movement of the sash is supported by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed in the frame.
The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doorways. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. A casement window opens outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes that are held in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Some casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning or be opened using a crank.
A sash window is a beautiful feature in any home and it's easy to understand why they were so popular for so long. However, they do have their drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is that it could be difficult to keep them safe in the face of modern security concerns. We recommend replacing your old sash window with the latest tilt-and turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that destroyed the city of London on the 2nd September 1666. When the fire was extinguished, on Thursday the 6th, just four-fifths of the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were left homeless. The fire is believed to have been started by the Pudding Lane bakery. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses containing explosive materials and a powerful easterly wind. It is estimated that about 16 people were killed.
After london glass repair , King Charles II set about re-building the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for dozens of churches throughout the city. He also paved roads that were wider and made sure that buildings were built of bricks instead of timber. In the end, the city was less crowded.
Sash windows are an iconic part of London's architecture and have been in use for centuries. They are popular because they provide a winning combination of traditional looks and modern technology. However, it took a while for them to get to where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. It included a vertical sliding bar and fixed sash. This allowed the window to extend out into the room, but not to the sky. As time passed, the sash design was changed to resemble an open-air box window. The sash is still a well-known and widely used window in many different types of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I like it because it shows an event that could occur. She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy to imagine what's happening in the room to the left."
Andy Summers is an artist who has taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics of the windows, but later discovered that these windows have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As a city with a history as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to some stunning period structures. Sash windows are often associated with these historical homes. From aristocratic townhouses to humble terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles don't always look good in modern times. They're known for letting in draughts, being difficult to open or close and getting their mechanisms jammed up. A brand new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It offers a high-quality timber product that is easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was developed by English craftsmen, but the origin of it isn't known for certain. Following the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to replace larger windows with frames that were narrower, which were less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.
The sash is comprised of small panes that are held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes, as glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would be costly. Today, the cost of glass has fallen dramatically so the windows are generally made up of one pane that has astragal bars attached to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using a box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the box frame.
Many windows that are sash in the period buildings in London are more than 100 years old and can begin to show signs of problems like rattles and draughts. However we can replace them with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Windows with bricks
While walking through the streets of old England You may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced by bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's actually a plausible reason for it, and it's related to money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows imposed which charged homeowners more depending on the number of windows their homes had. Also known as the 'daylight robbery the tax was so hated that people went to extraordinary lengths to avoid it.
One way was to build their homes with a minimum amount of windows, or without them altogether and others would brick them up. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one because the 'daylight-robbery fee was finally eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older structures, and you can usually determine if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill that match to the place where the glass would have been.
Another way to find out is to look for the stepped-back line in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Examine whether all the bricks have the identical colour. If there is a gap where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass never blocked.
For those interested in exploring the background of these windows, there's an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition has its faults. Particularly, it claims that "many" of the houses included were bricked to avoid the Georgian window tax of the Georgian era. (And not just out of a general dislike of the tax.) It doesn't also consider the conditions that affect health, specifically health, after the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.