The Complete Guide To London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as a fascination with London's blasted-up windows has turned into an examination of the role light and air contribute to our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 images of windows that have been blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This led to a shift in architecture and the creation of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is a slit which is built into a wall, door, or roof with the intention of letting in light and air. It is usually framed with glass panes mounted on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window could also be referred to as an aperture for windows, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known kind of window in London. These are vertically opening windows that open using a sliding mechanism. glazier in london are still found in older houses, but are less common in modern constructions. Modern double glazed sash Windows are constructed from uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash windows but they have greater insulation.
Sash windows are very distinctive and were initially created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two sashes slide between the frame, and then overlap when opened. The movement of sash is aided by a system that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances which can be hidden in the frame.
The windows' sashes can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be single-hung, double-hung or casement. Casement windows open outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilted to assist with cleaning. There are also casement windows that hang on hinges that allow the window to swing in and out, similar to an awning window, or which can be opened using a crank mechanism.
A sash window is a beautiful feature in any home, and it's not difficult to understand why they were so popular for so long. They do have flaws, and one of them is that they are difficult to secure in light of modern security concerns. We recommend that you replace your old sash windows with the most recent 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 conflagration which swept through London's city centre on the 2nd September 1666. The fire was slowed down on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths of the city was left standing. It burned 13,000 houses, 52 Guild Halls and left thousands of people 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 and a strong easterly breeze. 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 create the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for a number of other churches across the city. He also built wider streets and ensured that buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are an iconic part of London's architecture, and have been around for centuries. They are well-known due to their mix of traditional design and modern technology. It took an extended time to reach where they are today.
The first sash window was designed in the 17th century and included the vertical sliding bar as well as an sash that was fixed. This allowed the window to open out into the room, but not to the sky. The design of the sash was altered and it was transformed into a box-shaped window. Today, the sash remains a popular window and it is used in many different types of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor who has returned to his family. "I like it because it shows a scene that could actually take place. It's an extremely atmospheric location and it's easy to imagine what would be going on in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows in 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 an area with a history as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to amazing historic buildings. Sash windows are often associated with these historical buildings. From grand townhouses to simple terraces, they can be seen all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity traditional sash windows don't always give the best impression in the present day. They're known for letting drafts in and being difficult to shut or open and having their mechanisms jammed. But a new, double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that's easy to use and has a high energy efficiency.
It's not known who invented the sash window However, English craftsmen hold the most claim of being responsible. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited with changing building regulations to replace larger windows with narrower frames that were less prone to catch fire. These recessed frames are what give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.
The sash itself is comprised of small glass panes that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. Originally, windows were made of several panes, since glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would be costly. Today, the cost of glass has sunk dramatically so the windows are usually made up of one pane with astragal bars applied to give 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 ends that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. The weights are concealed in the frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are over 100-years-old and may be experiencing issues such as rattles or draughts. They can be replaced, however, with double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered, and have strict building standards regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are clogged
You might have noticed something odd when you stroll through the streets of old England windows are often replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a very plausible reason for it, and it has to do with money. In 1696, a tax on windows was applied to homeowners based on the number of windows that were in their homes. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so hated that people went to extraordinary lengths to avoid it.
One method was to construct their homes with a small amount of windows, or even without windows at all, while others would simply build them up. The window-blocking trend was only temporary, as the 'daylight-robbery tax was eventually eliminated in 1851. It's not uncommon to see windows that have been smashed up on the side of older buildings. You can determine if they 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 see whether the bricks are the same colour, and 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 history behind these windows, there is an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibition looks at the effect light and air have on our health and wellbeing. It examines ways in which we can improve our health.
The exhibition isn't without faults. It is notable that it claims that "many" of the properties featured were bricked up to avoid the Georgian window tax of the time. (And not only because of a general dislike of the tax.) The exhibition doesn't consider the conditions that impact health, particularly health, following the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.