Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a visual fascination in London's blasted-up windows has turned into an investigation into the role that air and light play in our wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 images of windows that have been blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked a turning point in the design of windows. This led to a change in the architecture and the introduction of the sash window.
What is a window?
A window is a slit that is made in a door, wall or roof for the purpose of letting in light and air. It is typically covered and spanned by panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window may also be referred to as an aperture for windows or window light pane.
There are many kinds of windows, but the ones most commonly associated with London are sash windows. double glazing east london are vertically opening windows that are opened using a sliding mechanism. They're still a popular feature in many older properties but they are less common in the newer constructions. Modern double-glazed sash windows are made from uPVC. They can be opened the same as traditional sash windows however, they provide more insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and were initially developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down within the frame and overlap when open. The sash's movement is assisted by a set of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) which can be hidden or visible in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open, or by cranking them as a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. Casement windows open outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes that are held in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning. They can also be opened by turning the crank.
A sash window can be an attractive design element in any house and it is not difficult to understand why they were so popular for so long. But, they have their drawbacks. One of the main problems is that it could be difficult to keep them secure in the face of modern security issues. We recommend replacing your sash window that was in use with the latest 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 a massive conflagration that swept across the city's centre on the 2nd of September, 1666. When the fire was extinguished on Thursday 6th only about four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls. Thousands of people were left homeless. The fire was believed to be started by an Pudding Lane bakery. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses and an intense easterly breeze. It is estimated that around 16 people were killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for dozens of other churches in the city. He also constructed wider streets and ensured that buildings were constructed of bricks instead of timber. This meant that the city was much less overcrowded.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been around for centuries. They are renowned due to their mix of traditional design and modern technology. It took an extended time to get to where they are today.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century and included a vertical sliding bar and a fixed sash. The window could be opened into the room, but not upwards towards the sky. As time passed, the sash design was modified to look more like a box window. Today, the sash remains an extremely popular window that is used in many different styles of apartments and houses.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield depicts the return of a sailor to his family. "I love it because the scene could actually occur." She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy to imagine what's going on in the room beyond it."
Andy Summers, an artist has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He claims that initially, he was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but he has realized that they hold a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital with its rich and long history is home to a number of beautiful period buildings. Sash windows are usually connected with historic homes. From elegant townhouses to humble terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always make the best impression in modern times. They are known for letting drafts in and being difficult to shut or open and having their mechanisms clogged. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh 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, although English craftsmen hold the most claim of being responsible. Following the Great Fire of London, they were also credited with changing building regulations to replace larger windows with frames that were smaller, which were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.
The sash itself is comprised of a few glass panes that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. Originally, windows were made of several panes, since glass was costly. If one was damaged, replacing it would cost a lot. Today, the price of glass has sunk drastically, so windows are usually comprised of a single pane with astragal bars applied to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened through sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened at both ends that is referred to as a double-hung sash. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cord and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the frame of the box.
Many sash windows in period buildings in London are over 100 years old and may begin to show signs of issues like draughts and rattles. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are clogged
You may have noticed a peculiar sight when you stroll through the streets of the old England - windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This edit may seem odd, but it's for a good cause and it involves money. In 1696, a tax on windows was imposed on homeowners based on the number of windows that were in their homes. This tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so detested by people that they went to extreme measures to avoid paying it.
One way was to build their homes with a minimum number of windows, or even without them altogether, while others would simply brick them up. The window-blocking trend was only temporary because the 'daylight-robbery fee was eventually eliminated in 1851. It's still common to see bricked-up windows along the sides of older structures and you can 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.
Look for the stepped back line in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to check whether the bricks are identical in colour. 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.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those who are curious about the history of these windows. The exhibition takes a look at the effect light and air has on our health and wellbeing. It also explores some of the ways we can improve our health.
The exhibit has its flaws. Most notably, it states that "many" of the properties that were featured were erected to avoid paying the Georgian era window tax. (And not just out of a general dislike of the tax.) It doesn't also consider the factors that affect health, specifically health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.