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Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What began as a visual fascination in London's bricked-up windows has become an investigation into the role air and light play in our wellbeing. window frame repair london , Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.

The Great Fire of London was an important change in the design of windows. This led to a change in the design of windows and the development of sash windows.

What is a Window?

A window is an opening in a door, wall or roof to let in light and air. It is often covered with glass panes on the frame, allowing opening and closing. A window can be referred to as a window aperture or window light, or window pane.

There are a number of different kinds of windows, however the ones most associated with London are sash windows. They are vertically opening windows which open via a sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older houses, however they are less common in newer builds. Modern double-glazed sash windows are constructed from uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash Windows, however, they provide greater insulation.

Sash windows are distinct and they were originally created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. They are distinguished by two sashes which move up and down within the frame, and they overlap when they are open. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of pulleys, weights and counter balances which can be hidden within the frame.

The windows' sashes can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hanging, double-hung or casement. Casement windows open outward and can have one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilt to assist 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 using 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 can be difficult to ensure their security in the current security issues. We recommend that you replace your old sash windows with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders away.

The Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that destroyed the city of London on 2nd September 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were left homeless. The fire was believed to be the result of the Pudding Lane bakery. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and an extremely strong easterly breeze. It is believed that 16 people to have died.

After the fire the king Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches throughout the city. He also built wider streets and made sure buildings were constructed of brick instead of timber. The city became much less crowded as a result of the fire.

Sash windows have been part of London architecture for centuries. They are well-known because they offer a winning combination of traditional looks and modern technology. It took them a long time to get to where they are now.

The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. They featured bars that were vertically sliding and a fixed window sash. The window could extend out onto the room but not into the sky. The design of the sash was modified and it became more of a box-shaped window. The sash remains a well-known and widely used window in kinds of homes and apartments.

Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I love it because it portrays an event that could happen. She said, "It's a very atmospheric space and it's simple 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 discovered that these windows have significant historical significance.

Sash windows

As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some amazing period structures. Sash windows are usually associated with historical properties. From aristocratic townhouses to simple terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets.

Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles aren't always attractive in the present day. They're known for letting drafts in, being difficult to close or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. But a new, double-glazed sash windows from Lomax + Wood can be refreshing and offer a premium timber solution that is easy to operate and offers great energy efficiency.

The sash window was invented 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 smaller, which were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames gave Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.


The sash is comprised of small panes held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were constructed of several panes, since glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would cost a lot. The cost of glass has decreased drastically, and windows are now constructed of a single pane with astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.

Sash windows can be opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are anchored in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cable and counterbalanced by weights concealed inside the frame of the box.

A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and may be exhibiting issues like rattles and draughts. However we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.

Windows that have been smashed

You may have noticed something odd as you wander through the streets of the old England - windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a very plausible reason for it, and it has to do with money. Back in 1696, there was a window tax that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount based on how many windows their homes had. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so resented by the public that they went to great measures to avoid paying.

A few people choose to brick up their windows or build houses with no windows at all. Fortunately this window-blocking trend was short-lived as the 'daylight robbery' tax was finally pulled in 1851. It's common to see bricked up windows on the side 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 find out is to check for the stepped-back line in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Examine whether all the bricks are the same color. If there is a gap where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass was never blocked.

If you are interested in learning more about the history behind these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibit looks at the impact that light and air has on our health and also explores some of the ways in which we can improve our health.

The exhibit does have its flaws, chiefly in the claim that 'a lot' of the properties included had their windows smashed off to get around the Georgian window tax (and not just due to the general dislike for the tax). It also fails to take into account the complexity of health issues, particularly health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and during the so-called "lockdown" period.

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