Looking Into The Future What Is The London Window Industry Look Like In 10 Years?
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as an interest in the windows in London that were bricked up has now turned into an investigation of the role that light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of windows that have been blocked all over the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant change in the design of windows. This led to a change in the architecture and the introduction of the sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a door, wall or roof to admit light and air. It is often covered and spanned by panes of glass, which are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window could also be referred to as a window aperture or window light pane.
There are many kinds of windows, but the ones that are most often associated with London are sash windows. These are windows that open vertically that open with a sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older properties but they are not as prevalent in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are typically constructed of uPVC and can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows but with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinct and were initially developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down within the frame and overlap when they are open. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or exposed in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by either sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be single-hung, double-hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and has sashes that can be fixed or tilted for cleaning. There are also some casement windows that are hung on hinges that allow the window to swing in and out, much like an awning window, or can be opened with a crank mechanism.
Sash windows can be an elegant feature in any home, and it's not difficult to understand why they were so popular for so long. But, they have their flaws. One of the major issues is that it's a challenge to keep them safe in the face of modern security concerns. We recommend that you replace your old sash windows with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd September 1666. When london glazier was finally put out on the 6th, only four-fifths the city was still standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Many thousands of people were left homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses as well as an intense easterly breeze. About 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire, King Charles II set about re-building 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 constructed wider roads and ensured that buildings were constructed from bricks instead of timber. The city became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture and have been around for centuries. They are popular because of their blend of traditional style and modern technology. It took an extended time to reach the point they are at today.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th century. They included a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room, but not upwards to the sky. Over time the sash's design modified to look like the shape of a box window. The sash continues to be an extremely popular and frequently 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 an event that could happen. It's a very atmospheric place and it's easy to imagine what might be going on in the room behind it," she said.
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 drawn to the aesthetics, but later realized that these windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some stunning period buildings. Sash windows are usually associated with historical properties. From elegant townhouses to quaint terraces you can see them all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always give the best impression in modern times. They are known for letting draughts into and are difficult to shut or open and having their mechanisms jammed. However, 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, but it isn't certain. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to replace larger windows with narrower frames that were less prone to catch fire. These recessed frames are what gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive style.
The sash itself is comprised of a few glass panes which are held in glazing bars or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes because glass was costly. If one was damaged, replacing it would be costly. Today, the price of glass has fallen dramatically so the windows are generally composed of one pane with astragal bars applied to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened either 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 are anchored in vertical grooves within the frame by a sash cable and counterbalanced by weights concealed inside the box frame.
A lot of sash windows are 100-years-old and may be experiencing issues such as rattles or drafts. 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 that are clogged
You may have noticed a peculiar sight as you wander through the streets of old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's actually a good reason behind it, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a window tax was applied to homeowners according to the number of windows they had in their homes. This tax, also known as 'daylight theft' was so hated by people that they went to great lengths to avoid paying it.
Some people decided to brick up their windows or build houses without windows at all. Fortunately, this window-blocking trend faded away since the 'daylight theft tax was eventually canceled in 1851. However, it's still common to see windows with bricks on the sides of older structures, and you can usually determine if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill that are in line with where the glass would have been.
Another method to determine this is to look for the stepped-back line in the brickwork, which resembles lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Also, check to determine if the bricks are all the same colour and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would be, it's likely that the window wasn't actually blocked off.
If you are interested in learning more about 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 takes a look at the impact that light and air has on our health and wellbeing. It examines ways we can improve our health.
The exhibition does have its faults, most notably in claiming that'many' of the homes included had their windows smashed off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of an overall dislike of the tax). It also doesn't consider the complexity of the conditions that affect well-being especially health, after the introduction of the window tax, and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.