5 Laws That Can Help The London Window Industry
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as an interest in the windows in London that were bricked up has now turned into an investigation of the role light and air play in enhancing wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows all over the city.
The Great Fire of London was an important moment in the history of window design. This led to a change in the architecture and also the creation of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a door, wall or roof to let in light and air. It is usually framed with glass panes mounted on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window may also be described as a window light, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular type of window in London. They are windows that open vertically and open with the sliding mechanism. They're still a popular feature in many older properties but they are not as common in newer builds. Modern double-glazed sash windows are generally made from uPVC and can still be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows, but with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are very distinctive and were first developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. They are distinguished by two sashes which move up and down within the frame, and they overlap when open. The movement of sash is aided by a system pulleys, weights and counter balances that are concealed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be single-hung, double-hung or casement. A casement window opens outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilt to assist with cleaning. There are also casement windows which are mounted on hinges that permit the window to swing in or out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened with the crank mechanism.
It is easy to see why sash windows have been so popular throughout the years. They are not without their shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in the light of the latest security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you think about replacing your old sash windows with the most recent tilt and turn models that are more effective at keeping the intruders away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept across the city's centre on the 2nd of September, 1666. By the time the fire was extinguished on Thursday, 6th September, only four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls and left thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of a bakery located in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses containing combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. About 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for dozens of other churches across the city. He also built wider roads and ensured that buildings were constructed of bricks instead of timber. In the end, the city was much less overcrowded.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture, and have been around for many centuries. They are renowned for their combination of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a long time to reach where they are today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and included the vertical sliding bar as well as a fixed sash. The window could extend out into the room, but not up into the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was modified and it was transformed into an open-plan window. The sash continues to be an extremely popular and widely used window in many kinds of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning home to his family. "I like it because it could occur." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what could be happening in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that he was initially interested in the aesthetics of these windows but he has realized that they have an important historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital, with its long and rich history is home to a number of stunning period structures. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical homes. They can be located in the London streets from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity the traditional sash windows do not always give the best impression in modern times. They're known for letting draughts into and are difficult to close or open and having their mechanisms clogged. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It's a premium timber product that's easy-to-operate and offers great energy-efficiency.
It's not really known who invented the sash window however English craftsmen have the strongest claim to be responsible. They are also credited with changing building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to windows being replaced with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive style.
The sash is comprised of tiny panes that are held in muntins or glazing bars. The windows were originally made up of multiple panes since glass was expensive - should one break, it would be costly to replace it. The cost of glass has decreased dramatically, so windows are now made up of a single pane with astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. The weights are concealed in the box frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are over 100 years old and may be exhibiting issues such as rattles or drafts. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are clogged
While walking through the streets of the old England, you may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. Although this might seem odd, there's a very plausible reason for it, and it's related to money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount depending on the number of windows their homes had. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft' was so resented by the public that they went to great measures to avoid paying.
Some people decided to brick up their windows or build houses without windows. Fortunately the window-blocking trend lasted only a few years since the 'daylight theft tax was eventually canceled in 1851. It's common to see windows that are bricked up on the exterior of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by looking at the lintel, or sill that matches the original glass.
Another way to find out is to check for the stepped-back lines in the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Also, check to determine whether the bricks are identical in colour. If there's a gap within the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window was not actually blocked off.
If you're interested in understanding the background of these windows, there's an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. london window replacement explores the effects of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition isn't without faults. Particularly, it claims that "many" of the houses that were featured were erected to get around the Georgian window tax of the time. (And this isn't just because of a general disdain for the tax.) It also fails to consider the complexity of conditions which affect wellbeing and health, especially after the introduction of the window tax and during the so-called "lockdown" period.