Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as a visual fascination in the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an investigation into the role that light and air 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 a turning point in the design of windows. This led to a change 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 allow air and light. It is often constructed with glass panes that are mounted on the frame to permit opening and closing. A window may also be referred to as window light, window aperture 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. They are still used in older houses, but are less common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed sash Windows are constructed from uPVC. They can be opened in the same way as traditional sash Windows, however, they provide greater insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive. They were invented due to the narrow streets of London and the tightly packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down inside the frame and then overlap when opened. The movement of the sash is assisted by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or visible in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hung, double hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and may have sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. There are also some casement windows that are hung on hinges that permit the window to swing in and out, like an awning window, or can be opened by a crank mechanism.
Sash windows can be a beautiful feature in any home, and it's easy to understand why they were so popular for centuries. But, they have their drawbacks. One of the major issues is that it can be a challenge to ensure their security against modern security issues. This is why we recommend that you think about replacing your old sash windows with the most current tilt and turn models which are more effective in keeping thieves out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous conflagration which destroyed the city of London on the 2nd of September 1666. When the fire was finally put out on the 6th, only four fifths of the city was still standing. double glazing north london destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were left homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by an unnamed bakery located 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, 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 constructed wider roads and made sure that buildings were constructed of bricks instead of timber. As a result, the city was much less overcrowded.
Sash windows are an iconic part of London's architecture, and have been around for many centuries. They are well-known because of their blend of traditional style and modern technology. It took them a long time to get to the point they are at today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century and included the vertical sliding bar as well as a fixed sash. The window could be opened into the room, but not upwards to the sky. Over the years the design of the sash was altered and it morphed into a box-shaped window. The sash is an extremely popular window and is utilized in a variety of types of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe of l'oeil window from Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I am awestruck by it because the scene could actually take place." She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me to imagine what's happening in the room beyond it."
Andy Summers, an artist, has photographed more than 80 bricked up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that initially he was interested in the design of the windows, but has since discovered that they have an important historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to stunning period structures. Sash windows are typically associated with historical properties. They are found in the streets of London from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses.
Despite their popularity the traditional sash windows do not always look the best in the present day. They are notorious for letting draughts into and are difficult to close or open and having their mechanisms jammed. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a premium timber product that's easy-to-operate and offers great energy-efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, however it isn't known for certain. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to substitute wider windows with frames that were narrower, which were less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges 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 composed 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. Today, the cost of glass has sunk dramatically so the windows are generally made up of one pane that has astragal bars attached to give the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them, or using a box sash mechanism. They can also be opened at both the top and bottom and this is known as a double-hung sash. 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.
A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and could be suffering from problems such as rattles and drafts. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations regarding thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Bricked up windows
As you walk through the streets of the old England, you may have observed that windows are occasionally replaced by bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's a very good reason behind it, and it has to do with money. In 1696, a tax on windows was imposed on homeowners according to the number of windows in their homes. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft' was so resented by the public that they went to extreme lengths to avoid paying it.
One way was to build their homes with a minimal amount of windows, or without windows at all, while others would brick them up. This window-blocking was short-lived because the 'daylight-robbery fee was eventually eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older buildings and you can tell whether or not they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and 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, take a look to see whether the bricks are the same colour and 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 interested in knowing more about these windows. The exhibition takes a look at the effect light and air has on our health and wellbeing. It also explores ways in which we can improve our health.
The exhibition has its flaws, chiefly in the claim that 'a lot' of the houses featured had their windows bricked off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to a general hatred for the tax). It doesn't also take into account conditions that impact health, particularly health, since the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.