Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows What started as a fascination with London's bricked up windows has evolved into an investigation of the role light and air play in wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows around the city. The Great Fire of London marked an important turning point 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 hole that is constructed in the wall, door or roof with the intention of letting light and air in. It is often framed and spanned with panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window can also be referred to as window light or window aperture, or a window pane. Sash windows are the most common type of window found in London. They are vertically opening windows that are opened using an opening mechanism that slides. They are still a feature in many older homes, but they are less common in the newer constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually constructed from uPVC and can be opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows, but with much improved insulation. Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented because of the narrow streets in London and the tight-packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes that slide up and down inside the frame and then overlap when they are open. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed 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. A casement opens outwards and can have sashes that can be fixed or tilted for cleaning. double glazing east london are hinged and can swing in and out like an awning. They can also be opened by turning a crank. It's easy to see why sash windows have become so popular throughout the years. They are not without their flaws, and one of them is that they are difficult to secure in light of modern security concerns. We suggest replacing your sash window that was in use with the most recent tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars from entering your home. The Great Fire of London The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept through London's city centre on the 2nd of September 1666. The fire was put out on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths of the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 houses as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls which left thousands of people homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by a bakery in Pudding Lane. The blaze spread quickly thanks to warehouses containing combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that about 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 numerous churches throughout the city. He also widened the streets and ensured that buildings were built with brick instead of timber. This meant that the city was much less overcrowded. Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture, and have been in use for many centuries. They are popular because they provide a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a while to get where they are today. The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century. It included the vertical sliding bar as well as an sash that was fixed. The window could be opened into the room but not upwards to the sky. The design of the sash was altered and it morphed into an open-plan window. The sash remains a well-known and widely used window in many different kinds of houses and apartments. Jen Pedler chose a trompe the l'oeil windows in Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. I enjoy it because it shows the possibility of a scene to occur. She said, It's a very atmospheric space and it's easy to imagine what's going on in the room to the left. 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 a significant historical significance. Sash windows As a city with a past as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to beautiful period structures. Sash windows are a feature that's often synonymous with these historic properties. From aristocratic townhouses to simple terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets. Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always give the best impression in modern times. They have a reputation for letting in draughts, being difficult to open and close, and often getting blocked. But a new, double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be refreshing offering a high-quality wood solution that's easy to use and offers great energy efficiency. It's not known who invented the sash window however English craftsmen hold the most claim to be responsible. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to replace larger windows with frames that were narrower, that were less prone 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. Originally, windows were made of several panes, since glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would be costly. The cost of glass has dropped dramatically, and windows are now constructed of one pane, with an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels. Sash windows can be opened by sliding them, or using a box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the frame to balance the weights. A lot of sash windows in period buildings in London are over 100 years old and can start to suffer from problems such as rattles and draughts. We can replace them, however, with double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered and have strict building standards regarding thermal performance as well as security and acoustic isolation. Windows that are clogged While walking through the streets of old England, you may have noticed that windows are often replaced by bricks. This might seem odd, but it's a very good cause, and it involves money. In 1696, a window tax was applied to homeowners according to the number of windows they had in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so detested that people went to extreme lengths to avoid it. Some people chose to block their windows or build homes with no windows at all. This window-blocking was short-lived and the 'daylight-robbery tax was finally eliminated in 1851. It's common to see windows that have been smashed up on the side of older buildings. You can tell if they were windows by looking at the lintel or sill that matches the original glass. Look for the step back line in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, check to determine whether the bricks are the same colour and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's possible that the window was never actually blocked off. If you're interested in understanding the background of these windows, there's an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibit looks at the effect light and air has on our health and wellbeing. It also explores some of the ways to improve our health. The exhibit does have its flaws, chiefly in the claim that many of the homes included had their windows smashed off to get around the Georgian window tax (and not just because of a general hatred for the tax). It doesn't also consider the factors that impact health, particularly health, since the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called lockdown period.
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