Notes

10 London Window Meetups You Should Attend
Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started as a fascination with the windows in London that were bricked up has now turned into an investigation of the role that light and air play in wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the windows that are blocked up all over the city.

The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This led to a shift in the architecture and the introduction of sash window.

What is a window?

A window is an opening in a door, wall or roof to allow light and air. It is usually covered and spanned by panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window could also be described as a window light or window aperture. pane.

There are many different types of windows but the ones that are most commonly associated with London are sash windows. These are vertically opening windows that open using a sliding mechanism. They're still a popular feature in many older homes, but they are not as prevalent in newer builds. Modern double-glazed sash windows are generally made from uPVC and can be opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with a much better insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented due to the narrow streets in London and the tightly packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down within the frame and overlap when they are open. The movement of the sash is assisted by a set of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed in the frame.

The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doorways. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. A casement window opens outwards and may have one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilt to assist with cleaning. There are also casement windows that are hung on hinges, allowing the window to swing in or out, much like an awning window, or which can be opened by the crank mechanism.

It's easy to see why sash windows have become so popular over the centuries. However, they aren't without their flaws. One of the biggest issues is that it could be a challenge to ensure their security in the face of modern security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you think about replacing your old windows with the most recent tilt and turn models which are more effective in keeping the intruders away.

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd of 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 displaced. The fire was believed to have been started by a Pudding Lane bakery. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses filled with material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that approximately 16 people were killed.

After the fire that followed, King Charles II set about rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches throughout the city. He also constructed wider streets and made sure that buildings were constructed from bricks instead of timber. This meant that the city was significantly less and crowded.

Sash windows are an iconic part of London's architecture and have been around for centuries. They are popular because they provide a winning combination of traditional looks and modern technology. It took a while to get where they are today.

The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. It included an incline bar that was vertical and an sash that was fixed. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards towards the sky. The design of the sash changed and it became more of a box-style window. The sash remains a popular and widely used window in different kinds of houses and apartments.

Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning home to his family. "I am awestruck by it because the scene could occur." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what might be going on in the room behind it," she said.

Andy Summers, an artist photographer, has taken photos of more than 80 bricked up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He claims that initially he was interested in the aesthetics of these windows, but he has realized that they hold a significant historical significance.

Sash windows

The capital, with its rich and long history is home to a number of stunning period structures. Sash windows are typically associated with historical properties. From grand townhouses to simple terraces They can be seen throughout the capital's streets.

Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles aren't always attractive in the present day. They are known for letting in draughts and being difficult to open and close, and often getting jammed up. A brand new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a top-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and has a high energy efficiency.

The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but the origin of it isn't known for certain. After the Great Fire of London, they were also credited with changing building regulations to replace wider windows with frames that were narrower, which were less likely catch fire. These recessed frames gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.

The sash itself is comprised of small glass panes held within glazing bars, or muntins. The windows were originally composed of multiple panes since glass was so expensive - should one break, it would be costly to replace it. The cost of glass has decreased drastically, and windows are now constructed of one pane, with an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels.

Sash windows can be opened by sliding them or using the box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to balance the weights.

A lot of windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are more than 100 years old, and they can start to exhibit issues like draughts and rattles. You can replace them however, by installing double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and meet strict building regulations regarding thermal performance security, thermal performance, and acoustic isolation.

Windows with bricks

You may have noticed something odd when you stroll through the streets of the old England - windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a very good reason behind it, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a tax on windows was applied to homeowners based on the number of windows that were in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so resented that people went to extreme lengths to avoid it.

Some people chose to block their windows or build homes with no windows at all. Fortunately the window-blocking trend faded away because the 'daylight robbery tax was eventually canceled in 1851. It's still common to see bricked-up windows along the sides of older structures, and you can usually identify if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill that match to where the glass would have been.

Another method to determine this is to check for the stepped-back lines in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Examine if all the bricks have the identical colour. If there is a gap in the brickwork where the window should be, it is likely that the glass was never blocked.

If you're interested in understanding the history of these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibit looks at the impact that light and air have on our health and wellbeing. It also explores ways to improve our health.

The exhibition has its faults. Particularly, it states that "many" of the houses that were featured were erected to avoid paying the Georgian window tax of the time. (And not only because of a general disdain for the tax.) It also doesn't take into account the variety of the conditions that affect well-being, particularly health, following the introduction of the window tax and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.


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