Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination with London's bricked up windows has now turned into an investigation of the role light and air play in enhancing wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This resulted in a change in the design of windows and the development of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is a small opening which is built into the wall, door or roof for the purpose of admitting light and air. It is typically covered and spanned by panes of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window could also be described as a window aperture or window light, or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular type of window found in London. These are windows that open vertically which open via an opening mechanism that slides. They are still a feature in many older properties but they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed sash windows are generally made from uPVC and are opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows, but with a lot more insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented because of the narrow streets in London and the close-packed buildings. Two Sashes move between the frame, and overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by either sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hang, double or casement. A casement opens outwards and can have sashes that are fixed or tilted for cleaning. There are also a few casement windows that hang on hinges, allowing the window to swing in or out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened by a crank mechanism.
A sash window is an elegant feature in any home and it's easy to understand why they were so popular for centuries. But, they have their flaws. One of the biggest issues is that it's a challenge to keep them safe against modern security issues. We recommend that you replace your old sash windows with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars from entering your home.
window replacement london of London
The Great Fire of London was a massive conflagration that swept across the city's centre on September 2nd, 1666. When the fire was finally completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, only four fifths of the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls, leaving thousands of people homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by a bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and an intense easterly breeze. It is believed that 16 people to have been killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches across the city. He also constructed wider streets and ensured that buildings were constructed of brick rather than timber. The city became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture, and have been in use for centuries. They are popular due to their successful blend of traditional style and modern technology. However, it took them a while to reach where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. It featured a vertical sliding bar and fixed sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards to the sky. The design of the sash was modified and it became more of a box-shaped window. The sash remains a popular and frequently used window in many different types of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe l'oeil window in Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor his family. "I enjoy it because it depicts the possibility of a scene to occur. She said, "It's a very atmospheric space and it's simple for me to imagine what's going on in the room to the left."
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 interested in the aesthetics of these windows, but later realized that these windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital of the United States, with its rich and long history, is home to some beautiful period buildings. Sash windows are often synonymous with these historic properties. From aristocratic townhouses to humble terraces They can be seen all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity the traditional sash windows do not always look the best in modern times. They are notorious for letting draughts into, being difficult to open or close and causing their mechanisms to jam. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It's a top-quality timber product that is easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but the origin of it isn't certain. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited with changing building regulations to substitute wider windows with narrower frames which were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames created Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash itself is comprised of small panes of glass held within glazing bars, or muntins. The windows were originally made up of several panes due to the fact that glass was expensive - should one break it would cost a lot to replace it. The cost of glass has fallen dramatically, so windows are now constructed of one pane that has an astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them, or using a box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes inside the frame are held in place by a cord. The weights are concealed in the frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are more than 100-years-old and may be experiencing issues such as rattles or drafts. However we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are smashed up
You may have noticed a strange sight as you wander through the streets of old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's actually a good reason behind it, and it's related to money. In 1696, a window tax was imposed on homeowners in proportion to the number of windows that were in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery the tax was so hated that people went to extraordinary lengths to avoid it.
A few people choose to brick up their windows or construct homes without windows at all. Fortunately the window-blocking trend lasted only a few years since the 'daylight theft' tax was finally pulled in 1851. However, it's not uncommon to see bricked-up windows on the exterior of older buildings and you can identify if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill which match up to where the glass would have been.
Look for the stepped back line in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Look to see whether all the bricks have the same color. If there is a gap where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass was not blocked.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those who are interested in knowing more about these windows. The exhibit looks at the impact light and air have on our wellbeing and it also explores ways to improve our health.
The exhibition does have its faults, most notably in claiming that'many' of the homes featured had their windows bricked off to get around the Georgian window tax (and not just due to an overall dislike of the tax). The exhibition doesn't consider the conditions that impact health, particularly health, since the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.