Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination with London's bricked-up windows has become an examination of the role light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of windows that have been blocked around the city.
The Great Fire of London was an important moment in the history of window design. This resulted in a change in the architecture and the introduction of sash window.
What is a window?
A window is a opening in a wall, door or roof to allow air and light. It is typically covered and spanned by panes of glass mounted to permit opening and closing. A window may also be called windows, window lights or window aperture. pane.
london doors and windows are the most popular type of window found in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open with an opening mechanism that slides. They are still used in older houses however they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double glazed windows are typically made from uPVC and can be opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with a lot more insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and were first created as a result of the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down inside the frame and then overlap when open. The sash's movement is made possible by a system of pulleys, weights and counter balances which can be concealed within the frame.
The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or cranking like doors. They can be single hanging, double-hung or casement. Casements open outwards, and has sashes that are either fixed or tilted to aid in cleaning. There are also casement windows that hang on hinges that permit the window to swing in and out, similar to an awning window, or can be opened using the crank mechanism.
It's not difficult to understand why sash windows have been so popular over the centuries. 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. This is why we recommend that you consider replacing your windows that were sash-based with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective at keeping the intruders 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. When the fire was finally completely slowed down on Thursday, the 6th, only four fifths of the city was still standing. It burned 13,000 houses as well as 89 churches and 52 Guild Halls which left thousands of people homeless. It was believed that the fire was started by an unnamed bakery in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses that were filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. It is believed that 16 people to have been 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 throughout the city. He also constructed wider streets and ensured that buildings were built with brick rather than timber. In the end, the city was much less and crowded.
Sash windows have been part of London architecture for centuries. They are renowned because of their blend of traditional design and modern technology. However, it took them a while to get where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century and included the vertical sliding bar as well as an sash that was fixed. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards into the sky. Through time, the design of the sash was modified and it was transformed into a box-style window. Today, the sash remains an extremely popular window and is utilized in a variety of styles of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning home to his family. "I love it because it portrays the possibility of a scene to occur. She said, "It's a very atmospheric space, and it's easy for me to imagine what's going on in the room to the left."
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 design of the windows, but he has realized that they hold a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As a city with a history as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to some stunning historic buildings. And sash windows are often associated with these historic homes. From elegant townhouses to quaint terraces, they can be seen all over the streets of the capital city.
Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash window styles don't always look good in modern times. They are notorious for letting draughts in, being difficult to open or close and having their mechanisms clogged. However, a brand new, double-glazed sash windows from Lomax + Wood can be refreshing offering a high-quality wood solution that's easy to operate and has a high energy efficiency.
The sash window was invented by English craftsmen, but it is not known for sure. After the Great Fire of London, they were also credited with changing building regulations to replace wider windows with narrower frames which were less likely catch fire. These recessed frames give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance.
The sash itself is comprised of a few glass panes which are held in glazing bars or muntins. Originally, the windows were made up of multiple panes because glass was so expensive that if one broke it would be expensive to replace it. The cost of glass has fallen dramatically, so windows are now made of one pane, with an astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using the box sash mechanism. They can also be opened from both ends and this is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes in the frame are secured by a cord. The weights are concealed in the box frame to help balance the weights.
Many sash windows are more than 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 have met the strict building regulations regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are smashed up
While walking through the streets of the old England You may have noticed that windows are often replaced by bricks. While this edit seems odd, there's a very good reason behind it, and it's related to money. In 1696, there was a window tax that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount according to the number of windows their houses had. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft', was so detested by people that they went to great measures to avoid paying.
A few people choose to block their windows or build houses without windows. The window-blocking trend was only temporary, as the 'daylight-robbery tax' was finally removed in 1851. It's still common to see bricked-up windows on the exterior of older buildings and you can tell whether or not they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill that are in line with where the glass would have been.
Examine the step back line in the brickwork that mimics the lines of the glass on either side. Look to see if all the bricks have the same color. If there is a gap in the brickwork where the window should be, it's likely that the glass never blocked.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, is worth visiting for those interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibit looks at the effect light and air has on our health and examines ways in which we can improve our health.
The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in claiming that'many' of the houses included had their windows smashed off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to a general hatred for the tax). The exhibition also fails to take into account the complexity of health issues and health, especially after the introduction of the window tax, and during the so-called "lockdown" period.