Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started out as a fascination for the visuals of the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an investigation into the role air and light play in our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant change 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 a small opening that is constructed in a door, wall or roof with the intention of letting light and air in. glass repairs london is often covered with glass panes on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window could also be described as windows, window lights, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known kind of window in London. These are vertically opening windows that open with the help of a sliding mechanism. These windows can still be found in older homes however they are not as common in more modern structures. Modern double glazed sash Windows are constructed from uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash windows, however, they provide much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were created because of the narrow streets of London and the tightly packed buildings. Two sashes move up and down in the frame, and then overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash window 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 outward, and can have sashes that are either 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 the crank.
It's easy to see why sash windows have been extremely popular throughout the years. However, they do have their drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is that it can be a challenge to ensure their security against modern security issues. This is the reason why we suggest to consider replacing your windows that were sash-based with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept across the city's centre on the 2nd of September, 1666. When the fire was finally completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, only four-fifths the city was still standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes as well as 52 Guild Halls, leaving thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by the bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread 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 that followed, King Charles II set about rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for dozens of churches across the city. He also paved roads that were wider and made sure that the buildings were built of brick instead of timber. The city was less crowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for hundreds of years. They are renowned for their combination of traditional style and modern technology. It took them a while to reach where they are today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and featured an incline bar that was vertical and a fixed sash. This allowed the window to expand out into the room, but not to the sky. Over time the sash's shape was modified to look like the shape of a box window. Today the sash is still a popular window and it is used in many different types of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor to his family. "I enjoy it because it portrays an event that could take place. 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 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 realized that these windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to stunning historic buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical properties. They can be found in the streets of London from aristocratic terraces all the way to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in the present day. They are known for letting in draughts and being difficult to open or close, and often getting blocked. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It offers a high-quality timber product that is easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
It's not really known who invented the sash windows However, English craftsmen hold the most claim to be responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames are what gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash itself is made up of small glass panes which are held in glazing bars or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of several panes, since glass was costly. If one broke replacing it would be costly. The cost of glass has dropped dramatically, so windows are now made of a single pane with astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes are anchored in vertical grooves within the frame by a sash cord and balanced by weights that are hidden within the frame of the box.
Many sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old and can start to suffer from problems such as rattles and draughts. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that have been smashed
You might have noticed something odd as you wander through the streets of the old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it involves money. In 1696, a window tax was placed on homeowners according to the number of windows that were in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so detested that people went to extreme measures to avoid it.
Some people chose to block their windows or build houses without windows. Fortunately the window-blocking trend was short-lived because the 'daylight robbery tax was finally lifted in 1851. It's common to see bricked up windows on the sides of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by looking at the lintel or sill that is matched to the original glass.
Another method to determine this is to check for the stepped-back line in the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Also, take a look 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.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those curious about the history of these windows. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in the claim that "many" of the houses that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of an overall dislike of the tax). The exhibition doesn't take into account conditions that affect health, specifically health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.