Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What began as a fascination with the windows in London that were bricked up has turned into an examination of the role light and air play in our wellbeing. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photographs of windows that are blocked in the city.
The Great Fire of London was a significant change in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the architecture and the introduction of the sash window.
What is a Window?
A window is a opening in a door, wall or roof to admit light and air. It is often constructed with frames and spanners of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window could also be referred to as windows, window lights, window aperture or window pane.
There are many kinds of windows, but the ones most associated with London are sash windows. They are windows that open vertically and open with an opening mechanism that slides. They are still a feature in many older properties but they are not as prevalent in newer builds. Modern double-glazed windows are typically constructed from uPVC and are opened the same way as traditional sash windows however with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinct and they were originally invented 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 they overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of weights and pulleys (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or exposed in the frame.
The sashes of a sash window can be opened by either sliding them open or cranking like doorways. They can be single hang, double or casement. A casement window opens outward and can be fitted with one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilted to assist with cleaning. Certain casement windows are hinged and can swing in and out like an awning, or be opened by turning the crank.
A sash window is an elegant feature in any home and it's easy to see why they were popular for so long. But, they have their flaws. One of the main problems is that it can be difficult to ensure their security in the current security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you think about replacing your old sash windows with the most recent tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that swept across the city's centre on September 2nd, 1666. By the time the fire was slowed down on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths the city was left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 52 Guild Halls which left thousands of people homeless. It is believed that the fire was started by the bakery in Pudding Lane. The blaze spread quickly thanks to warehouses filled with material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. Around 16 people are believed 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 numerous churches across the city. He also built wider roads and made sure that buildings were built of bricks instead of timber. The city became less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows are a classic part of London's architecture and have been in use for many centuries. They are well-known because they provide a successful blend of traditional style and modern technology. It took a while for them to get to where they are today.
The first sash windows were invented in the 17th century and included a vertical sliding bar and an sash that was fixed. The window could extend out into the room, but not up into the sky. In time, the sash design was modified to look more like an open-air box window. The sash continues to be a popular and widely used window in many different kinds of houses and apartments.
Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor returning home to his family. " upvc windows in london enjoy it because it depicts a scene that could actually happen. It's an extremely atmospheric location and it's easy to imagine what might be happening in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers is an artist who has taken photographs of over 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He initially was intrigued by the aesthetics of the windows, but he later discovered that the windows have significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital with its long and rich history, is home to some stunning period structures. And sash windows are often synonymous with these historic homes. From elegant townhouses to humble terraces you can see them everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles aren't always attractive in contemporary times. They are notorious for letting draughts into, being difficult to close or open and having their mechanisms clogged. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of air. It offers a high-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but the origin of it isn't certain. They are also credited with modifying building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to windows being replaced with narrower frames that were less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames provided Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash itself is comprised of small glass panes held within glazing bars, or muntins. Originally, windows were made of multiple panes because glass was costly. If one was damaged replacing it would be expensive. The cost of glass has dropped drastically, and windows are now constructed of one pane, with an astragal bars to give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them, or using an sash box mechanism. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both the top and bottom. The two sashes of the frame are held in place by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the frame to help balance the weights.
A lot of sash windows are 100 years old and may be exhibiting problems such as rattles and drafts. However they can be replaced with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security and acoustic insulation.
Windows that are clogged
You might have noticed a peculiar sight when you stroll through the streets of the old England windows are often replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's for an excellent cause, and it's a matter of money. Back in 1696 there was a tax on windows that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount according to the number of windows their houses had. This tax, also referred to as 'daylight theft' was so detested by people that they went to extreme measures to avoid paying it.
One method was to construct their homes with a minimal number of windows, or even without windows at all, while others would simply build them up. The window-blocking trend was only temporary because the 'daylight-robbery fee' was finally removed in 1851. However, it's not uncommon to see bricked-up windows on the sides of older structures, and you can usually identify if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill that match to where the glass would have been.
Another way to find out is to check for the stepped-back lines in the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Also, take a look to check whether the bricks are the same colour and if there's a gap in the mortar where the window would have been, it's likely that the window was never actually blocked off.
If you're interested in understanding the history behind these windows, there's an exhibit at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibition explores the impact of light and air on our health and well-being.
The exhibition has its faults. It is notable that it states that "many" of the houses that were featured were erected to avoid the Georgian window tax of the Georgian era. (And not only because of a general disdain for the tax.) It doesn't also take into account conditions that impact health, particularly health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.