Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started out as a fascination for the visuals of the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an investigation into the role that air and light play in our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 images of windows that have been blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London marked an important turning point in the design of windows. This resulted in a change in the architecture and the introduction of sash windows.
What is a Window?
A window is a small opening that is made in the wall, door or roof for the purpose of letting in light and air. It is often covered with glass panes on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window could be referred to as an aperture for windows, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most common type of window in London. These are vertically opening windows which open via a sliding mechanism. north london windows are still a common feature in many older properties but they are less common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually made from uPVC and can still be opened the same way as traditional sash windows but with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinct and they were originally developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. Two Sashes move across the frame and are able to overlap when opened. The movement of the sash is assisted by a set of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by either sliding them open or cranked like doorways. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outwards and can have sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to aid in cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and swing in or out like an awning, or be opened by turning the crank.
A sash window can be an elegant design element in any house and it's not difficult to see why they were popular for so long. They do have shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in light of security concerns in the modern world. We suggest replacing your old sash window with the most recent tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that was a major threat to the city's centre on the 2nd September 1666. The fire was put out on Thursday, 6th September, 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 is believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The fire spread quickly due to the presence of combustible materials in warehouses as well as a strong easterly breeze. It is believed that 16 people to have died.
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 built wider roads and made sure that buildings were built of brick instead of timber. As a result, the city was much less and crowded.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been around for centuries. They are popular due to their perfect blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a long time to get to where they are now.
The first sash window was invented in the 17th century. It featured the vertical sliding bar as well as an sash that was fixed. The window could extend out onto the room but not to the sky. The design of the sash changed and it was transformed into a box-style window. The sash is an extremely popular window that is used in many different styles of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I like it because it could happen." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what would be going on in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says initially, he was intrigued by the design of the 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 amazing period structures. Sash windows are often associated with historic properties. From grand townhouses to quaint 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 are notorious for letting draughts into and are difficult to close or open and having their mechanisms jammed. However, a brand new, double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be refreshing, providing a high-quality timber solution that is easy to operate and offers great energy efficiency.
It's unclear who invented the sash windows however English craftsmen have the strongest claim of being responsible. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These frames that were recessed gave Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash consists of tiny panes that are that are held in muntins or glazing bars. In the past, windows were composed of multiple panes since glass was expensive - in the event of a break it would cost a lot to replace it. The cost of glass has dropped dramatically, so windows are now constructed of a single pane with astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows are opened by sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened at both ends and this is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes in the frame are held in place by a cord. The weights are concealed in the box frame to help balance the weights.
A lot of windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are more than 100 years old and may start to exhibit problems such as rattles and draughts. You can replace them however, by installing double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered, and have strict building standards in terms of thermal performance as well as security and acoustic isolation.
Windows with bricks
When you stroll through the streets of the old England You may have noticed that windows are often replaced with bricks. This might seem odd, but it's actually for a very good cause, and it's a matter of money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount according to the number of windows their homes had. This tax, also referred to as 'daylight theft' was so hated by people that they went to extraordinary lengths to avoid paying it.
One option was to construct their homes with a minimal amount of windows, or even without them altogether and others would build them up. Fortunately the window-blocking trend faded away since the 'daylight theft tax was finally lifted in 1851. It's common to see windows that are bricked up on the sides of older buildings. You can determine if these windows are windows by looking at the lintel, or sill that is matched to the original glass.
Check for the step back line in the brickwork, which resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Check to see whether all the bricks have the identical colour. If there is a gap where the window should be, it's likely that the glass was never blocked.
If you're interested in understanding the history of these windows, there is an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and wellbeing.
The exhibition has its faults, notably in the claim that "many" of the houses included had their windows smashed off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to the general dislike for the tax). The exhibition doesn't consider the conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, since the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.