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 our wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked the beginning of a new phase in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the architecture and the introduction of the sash window.
What is a window?
A window is a small opening that is made in a door, wall or roof with the intention of admitting light and air. It is usually constructed with glass panes that are mounted on the frame to allow opening and closing. A window can also be referred to as window light, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular type of window found in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open using the sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older properties but they are not as prevalent in the newer constructions. Modern double glazed sash windows are generally constructed of uPVC and can still be opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows however with a much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were created due to the narrow streets of London and the tight-packed buildings. Two sashes slide up and down in the frame, and then overlap when opened. The sash's movement is aided by a system that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances that are concealed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by either sliding them open or cranking like a door. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outwards and has sashes that are fixed or tilted to help with cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning, or be opened by turning a crank.
It's not difficult to understand why sash windows have become so popular throughout the years. They are not without their drawbacks, and among them is that they are difficult to secure in light of modern security concerns. We recommend that you replace your sash window that was in use 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 blaze that was a major threat to the city's centre 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. Many thousands of people were homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of an unnamed bakery in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses that were filled with material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that around 16 people were killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for dozens of other churches across the city. He also widened the streets and ensured that buildings were constructed of brick instead of timber. This meant that the city was much less crowded.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture, and have been in use for centuries. lock repair london are popular due to their mix of traditional style and modern technology. It took a while to get to where they are today.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th century and included bars that were vertically sliding and a fixed window sash. The window could open out onto the room but not to the sky. Through time, the design of the sash was altered and it was transformed into a box-style window. The sash continues to be a popular and widely used window in different types of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe the l'oeil windows in Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I am awestruck by it because it could occur." It's an extremely atmospheric location and it's easy to imagine what could 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 initially was drawn to the aesthetics of the windows, but later discovered that these windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital of the United States, with its long and rich history is home to a number of beautiful period buildings. Sash windows are typically connected with historic homes. From elegant townhouses to simple terraces you can see them all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always give the best impression in modern times. They're known for letting in draughts and being difficult to open or close and getting their mechanisms blocked. A brand new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It offers a high-quality timber product that is easy to operate and offers great energy-efficiency.
It's not known who invented the sash windows however English craftsmen are the most credible claim of being responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.
The sash consists of small panes that are held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were composed of several panes due to the fact that glass was so expensive - should one break, it would be costly to replace it. The cost of glass has fallen drastically, and windows are now made of one pane that has an astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened at both ends that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes are anchored in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cable and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.
A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and could be suffering from issues like rattles and drafts. They can be replaced, however, with double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered, and comply with strict building regulations in terms of thermal performance security, thermal performance, and acoustic isolation.
Windows with bricks
You may have noticed a peculiar sight when you stroll through the streets of the old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's for a good cause and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a window tax was placed on homeowners based on the number of windows they had in their homes. Also known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so hated 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 this window-blocking trend was short-lived because the 'daylight robbery tax was eventually canceled in 1851. It's not uncommon to see windows that have been smashed up on the sides of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by looking at the lintel, or sill that matches the original glass.
Examine the step back line in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, check to determine if the bricks are all the same colour and if there's a gap within the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window was never actually blocked off.
If you're interested in understanding the history of these windows, there is an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibit does have its faults, notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses included had their windows smashed off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of a general hatred for the tax). The exhibition doesn't take into account conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.