Notes

13 Things About London Window You May Not Have Known
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started out as a fascination with the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an examination of the role light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of windows that have been blocked in 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 in a wall, door or roof to let in light and air. It is often framed with glass panes mounted on the frame to allow opening and closing. A window can also be described as a window aperture, window light or window pane.

There are many different types of windows but the ones most associated with London are sash windows. They are windows that open vertically and are opened using a sliding mechanism. These windows can still be found in older homes but are less frequent in modern constructions. Modern double glazed sash Windows are constructed from uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows, but they have more 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 which move up and down within the frame and overlap when open. 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 sashes of a sash window can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and may have sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to aid in cleaning. There are also some casement windows that are hung on hinges that allow the window to swing in or out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened using a crank mechanism.

It's not difficult to understand why sash windows have been extremely popular throughout the years. They do have flaws, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in light of modern security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you think about replacing your old sash windows with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping thieves out.

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that spread through the city's center on September 2nd, 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th, just four-fifths of the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Many thousands of people were homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by the bakery located in Pudding Lane. The blaze spread quickly thanks to warehouses filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that approximately 16 people were killed.

After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for dozens of other churches throughout the city. He also constructed wider roads and made sure that buildings were constructed of brick instead of timber. The city was less crowded as a result of the fire.

Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture, and have been around for centuries. They are well-known due to their mix of traditional style and modern technology. It took some time to reach the point they are at today.

The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. They had an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. The window could open out onto the room but not up into the sky. Over the years the design of the sash changed and it was transformed into a box-shaped window. Today, the sash remains an extremely popular window and 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 am awestruck by it because the scene could occur." She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me to imagine what's happening in the room beyond it."

Andy Summers, an artist, has photographed more than 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics, but later realized that these windows have significant historical significance.

Sash windows

The capital with its long and rich history is home to some gorgeous period buildings. Sash windows are often associated with these historical properties. They are located in the streets of London from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.

Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in contemporary times. They are notorious for letting drafts in and being difficult to close or open and having their mechanisms jammed. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a top-quality timber product that is easy-to-use and provides excellent energy efficiency.

It's unclear who invented the sash window, although English craftsmen are the most credible claim to being responsible. Following the Great Fire of London, they are also credited with changing building regulations to replace wider windows with frames that were narrower, which were less likely catch fire. These recessed frames created Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.

The sash consists of small panes which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. The windows were originally made up of multiple panes because glass was so expensive - if one broke, it would be costly to replace it. Today, the price of glass has fallen dramatically, and windows are usually composed of one pane with astragal bars applied to create the appearance of smaller panes.

Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes in the frame are secured by a cord. The weights are concealed in the frame to help balance the weights.

A lot of windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are over 100 years old, and they can begin to show signs of problems like rattles and draughts. You can replace them however, using double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered and meet strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic isolation.

Windows that are clogged

While walking through the streets of the old England, you may have noticed that windows are sometimes replaced by bricks. This might seem odd, but it's actually for an excellent cause, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a tax on windows was imposed on homeowners based on the number of windows they had in their homes. This tax, also referred to as 'daylight theft', was so hated by people that they went to extreme lengths to avoid paying it.

Some people chose to brick up their windows or construct homes without windows. Fortunately the window-blocking trend lasted only a few years since the 'daylight theft tax was finally lifted in 1851. It's common to find bricked up windows on the side of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by taking a look at the lintel or sill that is matched to the original glass.

Another way to find out is to look for the stepped-back line in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Also, take a look to check 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.

The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those interested in learning more about these windows. east london double glazing explores the effects of light and air on our health and wellbeing.

The exhibition does have its faults, most notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the properties included had their windows smashed off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to an overall dislike of the tax). The exhibition doesn't consider the conditions that impact health, particularly health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.

Read More: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/london-windowrepair/