A Provocative Rant About London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as an interest in the city's bricked-up windows has turned into an examination of the role that light and air play in enhancing wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the windows that are blocked up in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant change in the design of windows. This led to a shift in architecture and the creation of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a wall, door or roof to admit air and light. It is often constructed with frames and spanners of glass, which are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window may also be described as a window light, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known type of window found in London. They are vertically opening windows that are opened using an opening mechanism that slides. They're still a popular feature in many older houses, however they are not as prevalent in modern constructions. Modern double glazed sash Windows are made of uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash Windows, however, they provide much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and they were originally invented as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two sashes move across the frame, and overlap when opened. The sash's movement is supported by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or exposed in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like a door. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement window opens outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in and out like an awning or be opened using the crank.
A sash window is an attractive feature in any home and it's easy to understand why they were so popular for so long. They are not without their shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in the light of security concerns in the modern world. We recommend replacing your sash window that was in use with the latest tilt-and turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars from entering your home.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was extinguished on Thursday 6th only about four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were displaced. It was believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses as well as an intense easterly breeze. About 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for dozens of other churches throughout the city. He also constructed wider streets and made sure buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. In the end, the city was much less overcrowded.
Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture and have been around for many centuries. They are popular for their combination of traditional style and modern technology. It took some time to get to the point they are at today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and included an incline bar that was vertical and fixed sash. The window could be opened into the room but not upwards towards the sky. Over time, the sash design was changed to resemble a box window. Today the sash is still an extremely popular window that is used in many different types of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I love it because it depicts the possibility of a scene to take place. It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what would be happening in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 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 realized that these windows have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to stunning historic buildings. Sash windows are usually connected with historic homes. From aristocratic townhouses to quaint terraces you can see them throughout the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always look the best in modern times. They're known for letting in draughts, being difficult to open and close, and often getting stuck. But a new, double-glazed sash window by Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that is easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, however it is not known for sure. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to substitute wider windows with frames that were smaller, 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 which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. Originally, the windows were comprised of multiple panes because glass was so expensive that should one break it would be expensive to replace it. The cost of glass has dropped drastically, and windows are now made up of one pane, with an astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using a box sash mechanism. london sash window repair can also be opened from both the top and bottom that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes inside the frame are held in place by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the frame to help balance the weights.
Many of the sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old, and they can begin to show signs of problems such as rattles and draughts. We can replace them however, by installing double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered, and meet strict building regulations in terms of thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Bricked-up windows
You might have noticed something odd as you walk around the streets of the old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's for an excellent cause, and it's also a source of cash. Back in 1696 there was a tax on windows that was imposed, which levy homeowners more based on how many windows their houses had. This tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so detested by people that they went to extraordinary measures to avoid paying it.
Some people chose to brick up their windows or build houses without windows at all. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one because the 'daylight-robbery fee was eventually eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see bricked-up windows along the sides of older structures and you can identify if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill that are in line with the place where the glass would have been.
Check for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to determine if the bricks are all identical in colour. If there's a gap in the mortar where the window would be, 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 exhibit 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 wellbeing.
The exhibit does have its faults, notably in claiming that'many' of the houses featured had their windows bricked off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to an overall dislike of the tax). It also doesn't take into account the complexity of conditions which affect wellbeing especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.