Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as an interest in London's bricked up windows has turned into an examination of the role light and air play in enhancing wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photographs of windows that are blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked a turning point in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the architecture and also the creation of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is a opening in a door, wall or roof to let in air and light. It is usually covered and spanned by panes of glass, which are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window can also be referred to as a window aperture or window light, or window pane.
Sash windows are the most well-known kind of window in London. They are windows that open vertically and open with the sliding mechanism. They're still a popular feature in many older properties but they are less common in newer builds. 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 distinctive. They were developed due to the narrow streets in London and the tight-packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes which move up and down within the frame and overlap when they are open. The movement of sash is made possible by a system of that includes pulleys, weights, as well as counter balances that can be concealed within the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open, or by cranking them up like a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. Casements open outwards, and may have sashes that are either fixed or tilted to aid in cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning or be opened using the crank.
It's not difficult to understand why sash windows have been so popular throughout the years. They are not without their drawbacks, and among them is that they are difficult to secure in light of the latest security concerns. We recommend replacing your old sash window 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 an enormous blaze that destroyed the city of London on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was put out on the 6th, just four-fifths of the city was still standing. It burned 13,000 houses as well as 52 churches, and 89 Church Halls and left thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of an unnamed bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire quickly spread due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses as well as a strong 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 dozens of churches across the city. He also paved roads that were wider and made sure that buildings were built of brick instead of timber. As a result, the city was significantly less and crowded.
Sash windows have been a part of London architecture for centuries. They are well-known because they provide a perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took some time to get to where they are today.
The first sash windows were designed in the 17th century and had an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened into the room but not upwards to the sky. Over the years the design of the sash changed and it became more of an open-plan window. The sash remains a well-known and frequently used window in many different types of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor who has returned to his family. "I love it because it shows a scene that could actually happen. It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what could be happening in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers, an artist has captured more than 80 bricked windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was interested in the aesthetics, but later discovered that these windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, this capital is home to some beautiful period buildings. And sash windows are a feature that's often synonymous with these historic buildings. From grand townhouses to humble terraces They can be seen all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles aren't always attractive in modern times. They're known for letting draughts into and being difficult to shut or open and having their mechanisms clogged. However, a new double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air and offer a premium timber solution that's easy to use and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but it is not known for sure. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to windows being replaced with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed provided Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.
The sash itself is made up of small panes of glass held within glazing bars, or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes, as glass was expensive. If one broke, replacing it would be expensive. Today, the cost of glass has dropped dramatically, and windows are generally comprised of a single pane, with astragal bars inserted to give the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them, or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both sides. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves in the frame by a sash cord, and counterbalanced by weights hidden inside the box frame.
Many sash windows in period buildings in London are over 100 years old, and they can start to exhibit problems such as rattles and draughts. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and comply with stringent building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Bricked-up windows
You may have noticed a strange sight as you walk around the streets of old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's an excellent cause, and it's also a source of cash. In 1696, a window tax was applied to homeowners according to the number of windows that were in their homes. This tax, also known as 'daylight theft' was so resented by the public that they went to extreme measures to avoid paying.
Some people decided to brick up their windows or construct homes without windows at all. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one, as the 'daylight-robbery tax' was finally removed in 1851. However, london window repair 's not uncommon to see windows with bricks on the sides of older buildings and you can identify if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill which match up to the place where the glass would have been.
Check for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that mimics the lines of the glass on either side. Also, check to determine if the bricks are all the same colour, and if there is a gap in the mortar where the window would be, it's likely that the window was not actually blocked off.
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 exhibition takes a look at the impact that light and air has on our health and also explores ways to improve our health.
The exhibition isn't without faults. Particularly, it claims that "many" of the properties that were featured were erected to avoid paying the Georgian era window tax. (And this isn't just because of a general disdain for the tax.) It doesn't also consider the conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.