Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as a fascination with the windows in London that were bricked up has evolved into an investigation of the role that light and air play in enhancing wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the windows that are blocked up all over the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant turning point in window design. This resulted in a change in the architecture and the introduction of the sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is a opening in a wall, door or roof to admit air and light. It is typically constructed with frames and spanners of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window may be referred to as a window aperture, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular kind of window in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open using the sliding mechanism. They are still used in older houses but are less frequent in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed sash windows are made of uPVC. They can be opened the same as traditional sash Windows, but they offer more insulation.
Sash windows are very distinctive and were first created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were crowded together. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down inside the frame and then overlap when open. The movement of the sash is assisted by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by either sliding them open or cranked like a door. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. A casement window can open outwards and may have one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilt to help with cleaning. There are also casement windows that are hung on hinges that allow the window to swing in or out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened by a crank mechanism.
A sash window is a beautiful feature in any home, and it's not difficult to see why they were popular for centuries. However, they aren't without their drawbacks. One of the biggest issues is that it can be difficult to keep them secure in the current security issues. This is the reason we suggest that you consider replacing your old windows with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was a massive conflagration that swept across the city's centre on September 2nd, 1666. When the fire was extinguished, on Thursday the 6th, just four-fifths of the city remained standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes as well as 52 Guild Halls and left thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by a bakery located in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. Around 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire, King Charles II began to rebuild the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for numerous churches throughout the city. He also built wider roads and made sure that buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city was less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows have been part of London architecture for many centuries. They are renowned due to their mix of traditional style and modern technology. It took an extended time to get to the point they are at today.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th century and had a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards towards the sky. The design of the sash was modified and it morphed into a box-style window. The sash is an extremely popular window and is used in many different styles of apartments and houses.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning to his family. "I love it because it could take place." She added, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me to imagine what's happening in the room to the left."
Andy Summers is an artist who has photographed over 80 bricked-up windows within the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that initially he was interested in the aesthetics of these windows but has since discovered that they hold a significant historical significance.
lock repair london of the United States, with its rich and long history, is home to some beautiful period buildings. And sash windows are often associated with these historic properties. From aristocratic townhouses to quaint terraces They can be seen throughout the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, the traditional sash window styles don't always look good in modern times. They are known for letting in draughts and being difficult to open and close, and often getting jammed up. But a new, double-glazed sash window from Lomax + Wood can be refreshing and offer a premium timber solution that's easy to operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
It's not known who invented the sash windows, although English craftsmen are the most credible claim of being responsible. After the Great Fire of London, they are also credited for changing building regulations to replace wider windows with frames that were smaller, which were less likely catch fire. These frames that were recessed gave Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
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 because glass was costly. If one of them broke replacing it would be expensive. Today, the cost of glass has fallen drastically, so windows are usually made up of one pane, with astragal bars inserted to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using a box sash mechanism. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes are secured in vertical grooves inside the frame by a sash cable and balanced by weights that are hidden within the frame of the box.
Many sash windows are over 100 years old and could be suffering from issues such as rattles or draughts. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows with bricks
While walking through the streets of old England you might have observed that windows are occasionally replaced with bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's a very solid reason for it and it's a matter of money. In 1696 there was a tax on windows imposed which charged homeowners more according to the number of windows their homes had. Known as the 'daylight robbery This tax was so detested that people went to great lengths to avoid it.
One method was to construct their homes with a small number of windows, or without windows altogether and others would build them up. Fortunately, this window-blocking trend lasted only a few years because the 'daylight robbery' tax was finally pulled in 1851. It's still common to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older structures, and you can usually tell whether or not they were originally windows by looking for a lintel or sill that are in line with the place where the glass would have been.
Another method to determine this is to look for the stepped-back line within the brickwork, which resembles lines that the glass would have taken up 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 possible 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 learning more about these windows. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in the claim that 'a lot' of the properties that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of the general dislike for the tax). It fails to take into account conditions that affect health, specifically health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.