20 Trailblazers Are Leading The Way In London Window

Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows

What started out as a fascination with the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an investigation into the role that air and light play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the windows that are blocked up around the city.

The Great Fire of London marked the beginning of a new phase in the design of windows. This resulted in a change in architecture and the creation of sash windows.

What is a window?

A window is an opening in a door, wall or roof to let in air and light. It is usually framed and spanned with panes of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window may also be described as windows, window lights or window aperture. pane.

There are many different types of windows but the ones most associated with London are sash windows. These are vertically-opening windows that open with an opening mechanism that slides. They're still a popular feature in many older homes, but they are not as common 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 more insulation.

Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented because of the narrow streets of London and the close-packed buildings. Two sashes move between the frame, and then overlap when opened. The sash's movement is supported by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or visible in the frame.

The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be single hang, double or casement. A casement opens outward, and can have sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to aid in cleaning.  door companies in london  are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning, or be opened with a crank.

Sash windows can be a beautiful design element in any house and it is not difficult to see why they were so popular for so long. However, they do have their drawbacks. One of the major issues is that it can be difficult to ensure their security against modern security concerns. This is the reason we suggest that you consider replacing your windows that were sash-based with the most recent tilt and turn models that are more effective at keeping the 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 the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was extinguished on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were homeless. The fire was believed to have been started by an Pudding Lane bakery. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible material in warehouses and a strong easterly breeze. 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 dozens of churches throughout the city. He also paved roads that were wider and ensured that buildings were constructed of brick instead of timber. The city was less overcrowded as a result of the fire.

Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for long periods of time. They are popular due to their 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 created in the 17th century and had a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened into the room, but not upwards towards the sky. The design of the sash was altered and it became more of a box-style window. The sash remains an extremely popular and widely used window in different types of houses and apartments.

Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor to his family. "I love it because the scene could actually occur." It's an extremely atmospheric location and it's easy to imagine what would be going on in the room behind it," she said.

Andy Summers, an artist, has photographed more than 80 bricked windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but later realized that these windows have a significant historical significance.

Sash windows

As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to amazing historic buildings. Sash windows are often associated with historic properties. They can be found in the streets of London, from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.

Despite their popularity the traditional sash windows do not always give the best impression in contemporary times. They have a reputation for letting in draughts and being difficult to open or close, and often getting blocked. However, a new double-glazed sash window by Lomax + Wood can be a breath of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that's easy to use and has a high energy efficiency.

The sash window was developed by English craftsmen, however it isn't known for certain. After the Great Fire of London, they were also credited with changing building regulations to replace larger windows with frames that were smaller, which were less likely catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.

The sash itself is made up of a few glass panes that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes because glass was expensive. If one was damaged, replacing it would be expensive. Today, the cost of glass has sunk drastically, so windows are usually comprised of a single pane, with astragal bars inserted to give the appearance of smaller panes.

Sash windows can be opened by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both sides. The two sashes are anchored in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cord and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.

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

Windows with bricks

You might have noticed something odd as you walk around the streets of old England windows are often replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it's also a source of cash. In 1696, there was a window tax imposed which charged homeowners more depending on the number of windows their houses had. This tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so detested by people that they went to extraordinary measures to avoid paying.

Some people chose to brick up their windows or build homes without windows at all. Fortunately this window-blocking trend was short-lived since the 'daylight theft tax was finally lifted in 1851. It's common to find bricked up windows on the side of older buildings. You can tell if they were windows by taking a look at the lintel or sill that is matched to the original glass.

Another way to find out is to look for the stepped-back line within the brickwork that resembles the lines the glass would have taken up on either side. Look to see if all the bricks have the identical color. If there is a gap where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass never blocked.

The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and wellbeing.

The exhibition isn't without faults. Particularly, it claims that "many" of the houses featured were bricked up to avoid paying the Georgian window tax of the time. (And not just out of a general disdain for the tax.) The exhibition doesn't take into account conditions that affect health, specifically health, since the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.