Notes

The 10 Most Scariest Things About London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What began as a visual fascination in London's blasted-up windows has turned into an examination of the role air and light play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows around the city.

The Great Fire of London marked an important turning point in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the design of windows and the development of sash windows.

What is a window?

A window is a opening 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 be referred to as a window aperture or window light pane.

There are many different kinds of windows, however the ones that are most associated with London are sash windows. They are vertically opening windows that open using an opening mechanism that slides. They are still used in older homes however they are not as common in more modern structures. Modern double-glazed sash Windows are made from uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows but they have much better insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive and were first developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded 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 made possible by a system of pulleys, weights and counter balances that can be concealed within the frame.

Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them open, or by cranking them like doors. They can be single hanging, double-hung or casement. A casement window opens outward and can have one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning. They can also be opened using the crank.

It's easy to see why sash windows have become so popular throughout the years. They are not without their flaws, and one of them is that they are difficult to secure in the light of modern security concerns. This is the reason we suggest that you consider replacing your old windows with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective at keeping the intruders away.

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that was a major threat to the city's centre on the 2nd September 1666. When the fire was finally completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, only four-fifths the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were homeless. The fire is believed to have been started by an Pudding Lane bakery. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. Around 16 people are believed to have died.

After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for numerous other churches in the city. He also constructed wider roads and made sure that the buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city became less crowded because of the fire.

Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been around for hundreds of years. They are popular because they provide a successful blend of traditional style and modern technology. However, it took them a while to get to where they are today.

The first sash window was invented in the 17th century. It featured an incline bar that was vertical and a fixed sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards to the sky. The design of the sash changed and it was transformed into a box-shaped window. Today, the sash remains a popular window and it is utilized in a variety of styles of houses and apartments.


Jen Pedler chose a trompe the l'oeil windows in Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor to his family. "I like it because the scene could take place." It's a very atmospheric 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 taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He claims that initially he was interested in the aesthetics of these windows but has since found that they hold a significant historical significance.

Sash windows

As a city with a past as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some stunning historic buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historic buildings. They can be found in the London streets, from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.

Despite their popularity in the past, the traditional sash window styles don't always look appealing in the present day. They have a reputation for letting in draughts, being difficult to open and close, and often getting jammed up. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It offers a high-quality timber product that is easy-to-use and offers great energy-efficiency.

The sash window was created by English craftsmen, however it isn't known for certain. They are also credited with modifying building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames are what gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.

The sash consists of small panes which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. The windows were originally composed of several panes due to the fact that glass was so expensive that if one broke it would cost a lot to replace it. Today, the price of glass has fallen drastically, so 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 the box sash mechanism. They can also be opened from both ends that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.

Many of the sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old, and they can start to suffer from problems like rattles and draughts. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and comply with stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.

Bricked-up windows

You may have noticed a peculiar sight as you wander through the streets of the old England windows are often replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's for a very good 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 homes had. This tax, also referred to as 'daylight theft', was so resented by the public that they went to extreme measures to avoid paying.

One way was to build their homes with a minimum number of windows, or without windows altogether and others would block them up. The window-blocking trend was only temporary, as the 'daylight-robbery tax' was finally removed in 1851. It's not uncommon to see windows that are bricked up on the exterior of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by looking at the lintel, or sill that matches the original glass.

Another way to know is to look for the stepped-back line within the brickwork, which resembles lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Look to see whether all the bricks are the identical colour. If there is a gap in the brickwork where the window should be, it is likely that the glass was not blocked.

For those interested in exploring the history of these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. london window and door explores the effects of light and air on our health and wellbeing.

The exhibit does have its faults, notably in the claim that "many" of the properties featured had their windows bricked 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 factors that affect wellbeing, especially health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.

Homepage: https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/london-windowrepair/