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 play in our well-being. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows around the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This led to a change in the architecture and also the creation 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 typically covered and spanned by panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window can also be described as window light or window aperture. pane.
Sash windows are the most popular type of window found in London. These are vertically opening windows which open via the help of a sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older homes, but they are not as prevalent in the newer constructions. Modern double-glazed sash Windows are made of uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash windows but they have much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and were initially created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down inside the frame, and they overlap when opened. 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 cranked like doors. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and can have sashes that are either fixed or tilted to aid in cleaning. Some casement windows are hinged and can swing in and out like an awning, or be opened using the crank.
It is easy to see the reason why sash windows were extremely popular throughout the years. They are not without their drawbacks, and among them is that they are difficult to secure in light of security concerns in the modern world. This is the reason we suggest that you think about replacing your windows that were sash-based with the latest tilt and turn models which are more effective in keeping thieves out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, just four-fifths of the city remained standing. windows replacement london destroyed 13,000 houses, 52 Guild Halls, leaving thousands of people homeless. The fire is believed to have been started by a Pudding Lane bakery. The blaze spread quickly thanks to warehouses filled with explosive materials and a powerful easterly wind. It is estimated that around 16 people were 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 throughout the city. He also paved roads that were wider and made sure that buildings were built of bricks instead of timber. The city became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for many centuries. They are a popular choice because they offer a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. However, it took a while for them to get where they are today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century. It included a vertical sliding bar and an sash that was fixed. The window could be opened into the room but not upwards towards the sky. In time the sash's shape was modified to look more like the shape of a box window. The sash is still an extremely popular and widely 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 the possibility of a scene to take place. 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, an artist has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says initially he was interested in the design of the windows, but he has realized that they hold a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital of the United States, with its long and rich history is home to some gorgeous period buildings. And sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historic homes. They are often found in the London streets from aristocratic terraces all the way to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity traditional sash windows don't always look the best in modern times. They are known for letting in draughts, being difficult to open or close, and often getting stuck. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It offers a high-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was invented by English craftsmen, but it isn't known for certain. They are also credited with modifying building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to wider windows being replaced with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash is comprised of small panes held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were comprised 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. The cost of glass has fallen drastically, and windows are now made of one pane that has an astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened through sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened from both the top and bottom and this is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cord, and balanced by weights that are hidden within the frame of the box.
Many of the windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are over 100 years old and can begin to show signs of problems 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.
Bricked up windows
You may have noticed something odd when you stroll through the streets of old England windows are often replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a solid reason for it and it has to do with money. 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 was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so detested that people went to extreme lengths to avoid it.
Some people decided to block their windows or build houses without windows at all. Fortunately this window-blocking trend lasted only a few years because the 'daylight robbery tax was finally lifted in 1851. However, 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 looking for a lintel or sill that are in line with the place 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 identical colour. If there is a gap where the window should be, it is likely that the glass never blocked.
If you're interested in understanding the history behind these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition does have its faults, notably in claiming that'many' of the houses included had their windows smashed off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of an overall dislike of the tax). It doesn't also take into account conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.