Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as an interest in the windows in London that were bricked up has turned into an examination of the role light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows all over 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 constructed in a wall, door or roof to admit light and air. It is usually constructed with glass panes that are mounted on the frame, allowing opening and closing. A window may also be described as a window aperture, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular type of window found in London. These are vertically opening windows that open with an opening mechanism that slides. They are still a common feature in many older homes, but they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double glazed sash windows are generally constructed of uPVC and are opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinct and were initially invented as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. Two Sashes move up and down in the frame, and overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a set of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or visible in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by sliding them open or cranked like doorways. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and has sashes that can be fixed in place or tilted for cleaning. There are also casement windows that hang on hinges, allowing the window to swing in and out, much like an awning window, or can be opened by a crank mechanism.
A sash window is an attractive feature in any home and it is not difficult to understand why they were popular for centuries. They do have flaws, and one of them is that they are difficult to secure in the light of modern security concerns. We recommend replacing your old sash window with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that spread through the city's center on September 2nd, 1666. When the fire was slowed down on Thursday, 6th September, only four-fifths of the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 houses as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls and left thousands of people homeless. It is believed that the fire started because of a bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to warehouses containing material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. About 16 people are believed to have been 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 built wider streets and ensured that buildings were constructed from brick rather than timber. As a result, the city was much less crowded.
Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for long periods of time. They are a popular choice due to their winning combination of traditional looks and modern technology. It took a while for them to get to where they are today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and featured a vertical sliding bar and an sash that was fixed. This allowed the window to extend to the outside of the room, but not up into the sky. As time passed the sash's shape was changed to resemble the shape of a box window. Today the sash is still an extremely popular window that is used in many different styles of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning home to his family. "I am awestruck by it because it could take place." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what would be going on in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has photographed over 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. window repairs east london was drawn to the aesthetics of the 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, this capital is home to beautiful period structures. Sash windows are typically connected with historic homes. They are 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 contemporary times. They are known for letting in drafts, being difficult to open and close, and often getting stuck. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. the window doctor london offers a high-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and has a high energy efficiency.
The sash window was created 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 the replacement of larger windows with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed gave Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash is comprised of smaller panes, which are which are held in muntins, or glazing bars. In the past, windows were constructed of several panes, since glass was costly. If one of them broke replacing it would cost a lot. Today, the cost of glass has fallen dramatically so the windows are typically comprised of a single pane with astragal bars applied to give the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them, or using an sash box mechanism. They can also be opened from both the top and bottom, which is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cable and balanced by weights that are hidden within the frame of the box.
Many windows that are sash in the period buildings in London are over 100 years old and may start to suffer from issues like draughts and rattles. We can replace them however, using double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and comply with strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic isolation.
Bricked-up the window doctor london
As you walk through the streets of old England you might have observed that windows are occasionally replaced by bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a good reason behind it, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a tax on windows was applied to homeowners based on the number of windows in their homes. Also known as the window doctor london was so resented that people went to extraordinary lengths to avoid it.
One way was to build their homes with a minimal amount of windows, or without windows altogether, while others would brick them up. The window-blocking trend was only temporary and the 'daylight-robbery tax was finally eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older structures, and you can usually tell whether or not they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill that match to the place where the glass would have been.
Another method to determine this is to look for the stepped-back line within the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Look to see whether all the bricks have the same color. If there is a gap where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass was never blocked.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those who are interested in knowing more about these windows. The exhibit looks at the impact that light and air have on our wellbeing and it also explores ways we can improve our health.
The exhibition has its faults. It is notable that it states that "many" of the homes that were featured were erected to avoid paying the Georgian window tax of the time. (And this isn't just because of a general dislike of the tax.) It doesn't also consider the factors that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.