Notes

11 Ways To Fully Defy Your London Window
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started as a fascination with London's bricked up windows has evolved into an investigation of the role light and air play in wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 images of windows that have been blocked in the city.

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

What is a window?

A window is a small opening that is made in a wall, door, or roof for the purpose of admitting light and air. It is usually constructed with glass panes that are mounted on the frame to allow opening and closing. A window can also be described as a window aperture, window light or window pane.

Sash windows are the most popular type of window in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open using a sliding mechanism. These windows can still be found in older homes, but are less common in more recent constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually constructed from uPVC and are opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows however with a lot more insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive and were first created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two sashes move up and down in the frame, and overlap when opened. The movement of sash is aided by a system pulleys, weights, and counter balances that can be hidden in the frame.

Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open, or by cranking them as a door. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outwards and has sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. There are also a few casement windows which are mounted on hinges that allow the window to swing in or out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened by the crank mechanism.

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

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that destroyed the city of London on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was extinguished, on Thursday the 6th, only four-fifths the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were left homeless. The fire was believed to be started by the Pudding Lane bakery. The fire quickly spread due 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 a number of other churches across the city. He also widened the streets and made sure that buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city became much less crowded because of the fire.

Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for hundreds of years. They are popular due to their mix of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a long time to reach the point they are at today.

The first sash windows were created in the 17th Century and featured a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. This made the window extend out onto the room but not to the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was modified and it morphed into an open-plan window. Today, the sash remains an extremely popular window and is used in many different styles of houses and apartments.

Jen Pedler chose a trompe the l'oeil windows in Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor his family. "I like it because it could occur." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what could be going on in the room behind it," she said.

Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was interested in the aesthetics, but later discovered that these windows have a significant historical significance.

Sash windows

As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some beautiful historic buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical buildings. From grand townhouses to humble terraces, they can be seen everywhere in the capital's streets.


Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash window styles aren't always attractive in the present day. They are known for letting in drafts, being difficult to open or close and getting their mechanisms blocked. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a premium timber product that is easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.

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

window frame repair london is comprised of small panes of glass that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. In the past, windows were comprised of multiple panes because glass was so expensive - should one break it would be expensive to replace it. The cost of glass has fallen drastically, and windows are now made of one pane, with an astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.

Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened at both ends that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes inside the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to balance the weights.

A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and may be exhibiting issues such as rattles or draughts. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and comply with stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.

Windows with bricks

As you walk through the streets of old England you might have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a very solid reason for it and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a window tax was placed on homeowners according to the number of windows they had in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery the tax was so resented that people went to great measures to avoid it.

Some people chose to block their windows or build homes without windows. Fortunately this window-blocking trend faded away as the 'daylight robbery tax was finally lifted in 1851. However, it's still common to see windows with bricks on the exterior of older buildings, and you can usually tell whether or not they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill that match to the place where the glass would have been.

Another way to find out is to look for the stepped-back line within the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Also, look to check whether the bricks are the same colour and if there is a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window wasn't actually blocked off.

The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibition takes a look at the effect light and air have on our health and also explores ways in which we can improve our health.

The exhibition does have its flaws, chiefly in the claim that "many" of the homes that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to the general dislike for the tax). It fails to consider the conditions that affect health, specifically health, since the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.

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