Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a visual fascination in 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 windows that have been blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked the beginning of a new phase in the design of windows. This led to a change in architecture and the creation of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening in a wall, door or roof to allow light and air. It is usually covered with glass panes on the frame to allow opening and closing. A window could also be called a window light, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known type of window in London. These are vertically opening windows that open with the help of a sliding mechanism. 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 from uPVC. They can be opened the same as traditional sash windows but they offer much better insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and were initially developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. london glazier are distinguished by two sashes that move up and down within the frame and overlap when opened. The movement of sash is aided by a system that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances that are hidden in the frame.
The windows' sashes can be opened by either sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement window can open outwards and may have one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilt to assist with cleaning. Some casement windows are hinged and swing in or out like an awning or be opened using the crank.
Sash windows can be an elegant feature in any home and it is not difficult to see why they were so popular for centuries. However, they do have their drawbacks. One of the major issues is that it's a challenge to keep them secure against modern security issues. This is the reason why we suggest that you consider replacing your old sash windows with the most current tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping the intruders away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that was a major threat to the city's centre on the 2nd September 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th, just four-fifths of the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were left homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to warehouses filled with material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that approximately 16 people were killed.
After the fire that followed, King Charles II set about re-building the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to design the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for a number of other churches in the city. He also built wider streets and made sure that buildings were built with brick rather than timber. The city became less crowded because of the fire.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for hundreds of years. They are a popular choice because they offer a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took an extended time to get to the point they are at today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century. It featured the vertical sliding bar as well as fixed sash. This made the window extend to the outside of the room, but not up into the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was altered and it morphed into an open-plan window. The sash is still an extremely popular and frequently used window in many kinds of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe l'oeil window in Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor his family. "I enjoy it because it shows the possibility of a scene to happen. She added, "It's a very atmospheric space and it's simple to imagine what's going on in the room beyond it."
Andy Summers is an artist who has taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says initially, he was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows but has since found that they hold a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital with its long and rich history is home to a number of gorgeous period buildings. Sash windows are typically associated with historic properties. They are often located in the streets of London, from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always look the best in contemporary times. They are known for letting draughts into and are difficult to open or close and having their mechanisms jammed. But a new, double-glazed sash window by Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air, providing a high-quality timber solution that's easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but the origin of it is not known for sure. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to replace wider windows with frames that were smaller, which were less likely catch fire. These recessed frames are what give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive style.
The sash is comprised of small panes held in muntins or glazing bars. The windows were originally made up of several panes due to the fact that glass was so expensive that in the event of a break it would cost a lot to replace it. The cost of glass has dropped drastically, and windows are now made of one pane, with an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened through sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened from both the top and bottom and this is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes inside the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden in the frame to balance the weights.
A lot of sash windows in period buildings in London are more than 100 years old, and they can start to suffer from problems such as rattles and draughts. You can replace them, however, with double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered, and have strict building standards in terms of thermal performance as well as security and acoustic isolation.
Windows that are smashed up
While walking through the streets of the old England You may have noticed that windows are often replaced by bricks. This edit may seem odd, but it's for an excellent cause, and it involves money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows that was imposed, which levy homeowners more depending on the number of windows their homes had. Also known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so resented that people went to great measures to avoid it.
One way was to build their homes with a minimum amount of windows, or without windows at all, while others would simply brick them up. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one and the 'daylight-robbery tax' was finally removed in 1851. It's common to see bricked up windows 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.
Examine the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Check to see if all the bricks have the same colour. If there is a gap in the brickwork where the window should be, it is likely that the glass never blocked.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition does have its flaws, chiefly in claiming that'many' of the homes featured had their windows bricked off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of the general dislike for the tax). It also fails to consider the complexity of health issues especially health, after the introduction of the window tax and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.