How The 10 Worst London Window Errors Of All Time Could Have Been Prevented
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as a fascination with 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 windows that have been blocked around the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant moment in the history of window design. This resulted in a change in the design of windows and the development of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a wall, door or roof to allow light and air. It is usually covered and spanned by panes of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window may be referred to as a window aperture or window light, or window pane.
Sash windows are the most common type of window in London. They are vertically opening windows that are opened using the sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older properties but they are less common in the newer constructions. Modern double glazed sash Windows are made of uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows, however, they provide more insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and they were originally created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. Two Sashes move between the frame, and overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a set of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open, or by cranking them like doors. They can be single hang, double or casement. Casement windows open outward and can have one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilted to assist with cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and can swing in or out like an awning or be opened with the crank.
A sash window can be an attractive design element in any house and it is not difficult to understand why they were popular for centuries. They have drawbacks, and among them is that they can be difficult to secure in light of modern security concerns. This is the reason we suggest that you think about replacing your old windows with the most current tilt and turn models which are more effective in 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 September 2nd, 1666. When the fire was finally extinguished, on Thursday the 6th, just four-fifths of the city was still standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. Many thousands of people were displaced. It was believed that the fire was started by a bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to warehouses filled with explosive materials and a powerful easterly wind. Around 16 people are believed to have died.
After the fire the king Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for numerous other churches throughout the city. He also widened the streets and ensured that buildings were built with brick instead of timber. The city was less crowded because of the fire.
window fitters london have been part of London architecture for centuries. They are popular because they offer a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a while to get to where they are today.
The first sash window was designed in the 17th century. It featured a vertical sliding bar and an sash that was fixed. The window could expand out into the room, but not to the sky. Through time, the design of the sash was modified and it morphed into a box-style window. The sash remains an extremely popular and widely used window in many different kinds of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I like it because it shows the possibility of a scene to happen. She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me 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 within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but later realized that these windows have 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 amazing period buildings. Sash windows are typically associated with historical properties. From grand townhouses to simple terraces, they can be seen everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, the traditional sash window styles aren't always attractive in the present day. They're known for letting drafts in, being difficult to open or close and having their mechanisms jammed. A brand new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a top-quality timber product that is easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
It's not really known who invented the sash windows However, English craftsmen hold the most claim to be responsible. They are also credited with changing building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed gave Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.
The sash itself is made up of small glass panes held within glazing bars, or muntins. In the past, windows were comprised of several panes due to the fact that glass was so expensive that if one broke it would cost a lot to replace it. The cost of glass has fallen dramatically, and windows are now made up of one pane, with an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. They can also be opened from both the top and bottom, which is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are more than 100 years old and may be exhibiting issues like rattles and draughts. You can replace them, however, with double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered and that meet strict building regulations regarding thermal performance as well as security and acoustic isolation.
Bricked-up windows
While walking through the streets of the old England, you may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced by bricks. Although this might seem odd, there's a very solid reason for it and it's related to money. In 1696, a tax on windows was imposed on homeowners in proportion to the number of windows they had in their homes. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so hated by people that they went to extraordinary lengths to avoid paying it.
Some people chose to block their windows or construct homes without windows at all. Fortunately this window-blocking trend lasted only a few years as the 'daylight robbery tax was finally lifted in 1851. It's not uncommon to see windows that are bricked up on the sides of older buildings. You can tell if they were windows by taking a look at the lintel or sill that matches the original glass.
Another way to know is to look for the stepped-back lines in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Examine whether all the bricks are the same colour. If there is a gap where the window should be, it is likely that the glass was 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 a visit. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition does have its faults, notably in claiming that'many' of the homes included had their windows smashed off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of a general hatred for the tax). It doesn't also consider the conditions that affect health, specifically health, following the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.