Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a visual fascination in London's bricked-up windows has become an investigation into the role light and air contribute to our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in 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 introduction of sash windows.
What is a Window?
A window is a opening in a door, wall or roof to allow air and light. It is often framed and spanned with panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window could also be called windows, window lights or window aperture. pane.
There are a number of kinds of windows, but the ones most associated with London are sash windows. These are vertically opening windows that open with a sliding mechanism. These windows are still found in older homes, but are less common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed sash windows are constructed from uPVC. They are able to be opened the same as traditional sash windows however, they provide greater insulation.
Sash windows are very distinctive and were first developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two Sashes move up and down in the frame, and then overlap when opened. The movement of the sash is assisted by a set of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or visible in the frame.
The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hanging, double-hung or casement. A casement opens outwards and may have sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted for cleaning. There are also casement windows that hang on hinges that permit the window to swing in or out, much like an awning window, or which can be opened with a crank mechanism.
It's not difficult to understand the reason why sash windows were so popular throughout the years. However, they aren't without their drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is that it can be difficult to keep them safe 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 thieves out.
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 completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, only four fifths of the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were displaced. It was believed that the fire was started by the bakery located in Pudding Lane. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses as well as an intense easterly breeze. 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 across the city. He also widened the streets and made sure buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. In the end, the city was significantly less and crowded.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for many centuries. windows replacement london are popular because of their 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 and featured an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. This made the window expand out into the room, but not into the sky. In time the sash's design modified to look like a box window. Today the sash is still an extremely popular window that is utilized in a variety of styles of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I love it because it portrays a scene that could actually take place. It's an extremely atmospheric location and it's easy to imagine what might be going on in the room behind it," she said.
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 claims that initially, he was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but he has realized that they have an important historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some stunning period buildings. And sash windows are often associated with these historical buildings. From aristocratic townhouses to simple terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, the traditional sash window styles aren't always attractive in the present day. They are notorious for letting drafts in and are difficult to open or close and having their mechanisms clogged. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a top-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
It's not really known who invented the sash windows, although English craftsmen hold the most claim to be responsible. They are also credited with changing building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to windows being replaced with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash is comprised of tiny panes that are that are held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes, as glass was costly. If one was damaged, replacing it would be costly. The cost of glass has dropped drastically, and windows are now made up of a single pane with astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes are able to be opened from both sides. The two sashes in the frame are held in place by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are more than 100 years old and may be exhibiting problems such as rattles and draughts. They can be replaced however, using double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and that meet strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic isolation.
Windows with bricks
You may have noticed a strange sight when you stroll through the streets of the old England - windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. Although this might seem odd, there's a good reason behind it, and it has to do with money. In 1696, a window tax was placed on homeowners according to the number of windows in their homes. Known as the 'daylight robbery the tax was so hated that people went to great measures to avoid it.
Some people decided to block their windows or build houses without windows. The window-blocking trend was only temporary because the 'daylight-robbery fee' was finally removed in 1851. However, it's still common to see bricked-up windows along the exterior of older buildings, and you can usually tell whether or not they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill that match to where the glass would have been.
Look for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, take a look to check whether the bricks are the same colour and if there is a gap in 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 who are interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibit looks at the effect light and air have on our health and also explores some of the ways we can improve our health.
The exhibition has its faults, notably in the claim that "many" of the properties that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of a general hatred for the tax). The exhibition also fails to take into account the complexity of health issues, particularly health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.