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Are You Responsible For The London Window Budget? 12 Ways To Spend Your Money
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started out as a fascination for the visuals of London's blasted-up windows has turned into an investigation into the role air and light contribute to our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.

The Great Fire of London marked an important turning point in the design of windows. This resulted in a change 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 allow light and air. It is often covered and spanned by panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window may also be called window light or window aperture, or a window pane.

Sash windows are the most common type of window found in London. They are vertically opening windows that open using an opening mechanism that slides. They're still a popular feature in many older homes, but they are not as prevalent in the newer constructions. Modern double glazed windows are usually made from uPVC and can still be opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with a much better insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive. They were created because of the narrow streets in London and the tightly packed buildings. Two Sashes move across the frame, and then overlap when opened. The movement of sash is assisted by a system of pulleys, weights, and counter balances that can be concealed within the frame.

The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. sliding door repair london opens outwards and may have sashes that can be fixed or tilted to help with cleaning. There are also double glazing south london that hang on hinges that permit the window to swing in and out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened with the crank mechanism.

A sash window can be an elegant feature in any home and it's easy to see why they were so popular for centuries. They have shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in the light of the latest security concerns. This is why we recommend to consider replacing your windows that were sash-based with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective in 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 extinguished, on Thursday 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 displaced. It was believed that the fire started because of a bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and a strong easterly breeze. It is estimated that around 16 people were killed.

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

double glazing south london have been a part of London architecture for many centuries. They are renowned because of their blend of traditional style and modern technology. It took a while for them to get to where they are today.

The first sash windows were designed in the 17th Century and featured an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards towards the sky. Through time, the design of the sash was altered and it was transformed into a box-shaped window. The sash continues to be an extremely popular and frequently used window in many kinds of homes and apartments.

Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I enjoy it because it portrays an event that could take place. It's a very atmospheric place and it's easy to imagine what might be happening in the room behind it," she said.

Andy Summers, an artist photographer, has taken photos of more than 80 bricked windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was drawn to the aesthetics, but he later discovered that the windows have a significant historical significance.

Sash windows

The capital with its rich and lengthy history is home to some gorgeous period buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical homes. From grand townhouses to humble terraces They can be seen all over the streets of the capital city.

Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always look the best in the present day. They are known for letting draughts in, being difficult to shut or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. 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 provides excellent energy efficiency.

It's not really known who invented the sash windows however English craftsmen are the most credible claim to be responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to wider windows being replaced with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames created Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.

The sash itself is comprised of small panes of glass which are held in glazing bars or muntins. Originally, the windows were made up of several panes due to the fact that glass was so expensive - in the event of a break it would be expensive to replace it. Today, the price of glass has fallen dramatically, and windows are typically comprised of a single pane that has astragal bars attached to give the appearance of smaller panes.

Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes are held in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.

Many sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old, and they can begin to show signs of issues like draughts and rattles. However we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.

Bricked-up windows

While walking through the streets of the old England You may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it's a matter of money. Back in 1696 there was a window tax that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount according to the number of windows their homes had. Also known as the 'daylight robbery', this tax was so hated that people went to great lengths to avoid it.

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

Look for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to determine if the bricks are all the same colour and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's possible that the window was never actually blocked off.


If you're interested in understanding the background of these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.

The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of a general hatred for the tax). It also doesn't take into account the complexity of the conditions that affect well-being especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and during the so-called "lockdown" period.

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