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 examination of the role light and air play in our well-being. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows all over 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 slit which is built into a wall, door, or roof with the intention of admitting light and air. It is usually framed with glass panes mounted on the frame, allowing opening and closing. A window could also be referred to as an aperture for windows, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known kind of window in London. These are windows that open vertically that open using an opening mechanism that slides. These windows can still be found in older homes, but are less common in more recent constructions. Modern double-glazed sash windows are constructed from uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash windows but they offer much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were created because of the narrow streets of London and the tight-packed buildings. Two sashes slide between the frame and are able to overlap when opened. The sash's movement is supported by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or exposed in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them open or by cranking them as a door. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. Casements open outwards, and may have sashes that are fixed or tilted for cleaning. Some casement windows are hinged and can swing in and out like an awning, or be opened by turning a crank.
A sash window can be an attractive feature in any home, and it's easy to see why they were so popular for so long. However, they do have their flaws. One of the main problems is that it's difficult to ensure their security against modern security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you consider replacing your windows that were sash-based with the most current tilt and turn models that are more effective at keeping intruders out.
windows and doors london of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept through London's city centre on 2nd September 1666. By the time the fire was put out on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 houses, 52 Guild Halls, leaving thousands of people homeless. The fire is believed to be the result of a Pudding Lane bakery. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses as well as an extremely strong easterly breeze. It is estimated that approximately 16 people were killed.
After the fire, King Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for numerous other churches throughout the city. He also widened the streets and made sure buildings were built with bricks instead of timber. This meant that the city was less overcrowded.
Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for long periods of time. They are popular because of their blend of traditional style and modern technology. It took an extended time to reach where they are now.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century. It featured the vertical sliding bar as well as a fixed sash. The window could be opened into the room, but not upwards to the sky. The design of the sash was modified and it became more of an open-plan window. The sash continues to be a well-known 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 like it because the scene could actually happen." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what might 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 intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but he later discovered that the windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital of the United States, with its rich and long history is home to a number of stunning period structures. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical properties. From aristocratic townhouses to humble terraces you can see them throughout the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in contemporary times. They're known for letting draughts into and being difficult to close or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It's a premium timber product that is easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
It's unclear who came up with the idea for the sash window However, English craftsmen are the most credible claim to be responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to wider windows being replaced with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames are what give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash itself is comprised of small glass panes that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. Originally, windows were made of multiple panes because glass was expensive. If one broke, replacing it would be expensive. Today, the cost of glass has dropped dramatically, and windows are generally composed of one pane with astragal bars applied to give the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened from both ends and this is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes of the frame are held in place by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the box frame to help balance the weights.
A lot of sash windows in period buildings in London are over 100 years old and may start to suffer from issues like draughts and rattles. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and comply with stringent building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that have been smashed
While walking through the streets of the old England, you may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it involves money. In 1696, there was a window tax imposed which charged homeowners more according to the number of windows their homes had. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so resented that people went to extreme measures to avoid it.
Some people chose to brick up their windows or build houses with no windows at all. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one and the 'daylight-robbery tax was eventually eliminated in 1851. It's still common to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older buildings and you can determine if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill which match up to the place where the glass would have been.
Another method to determine this is to look for the stepped-back line in the brickwork, which resembles lines the glass would have taken up on either side. Also, take a look to determine whether the bricks are the same colour, and if there is a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's possible that the window was never actually blocked off.
If you are interested in learning more about the history of these windows, there's 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 wellbeing.
The exhibition does have its faults, most notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to the general dislike for the tax). The exhibition doesn't take into account conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.