Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started out 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 the blocked-up windows all over the city.
The Great Fire of London was an important moment in the history of window design. This led to a change in the architecture and the introduction of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening in a door, wall or roof to let in light and air. It is often constructed with glass panes that are mounted on the frame to allow opening and closing. A window can also be called windows, window lights, window aperture or window pane.
Sash windows are the most popular kind of window in London. They are windows that open vertically and open using a sliding mechanism. They are still used in older homes however they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually constructed from uPVC and can be opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows however with a much better insulation.
Sash windows are very distinctive and were initially 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 move up and down within the frame, and they overlap when opened. The sash's movement is assisted by a system of pulleys, weights and counter balances which can be hidden in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or by cranking them as a door. They can be single-hung, double-hung or casement. A casement window can open outwards and may have one or more sashes, which are fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Some casement windows are hinged and can swing in or out like an awning. They can also be opened by turning a crank.
A sash window can be an elegant feature in any home and it's easy to see why they were popular for centuries. They are not without their shortcomings, and one of them is that they can be difficult to secure in the light of security concerns in the modern world. We recommend that you replace your old sash window with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping intruders away.
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. When 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. Many thousands of people were displaced. The fire is believed to have been started by the Pudding Lane bakery. The fire quickly spread due to warehouses containing material that was combustible and a strong easterly wind. About 16 people are believed to have been killed.
After the fire, Charles II began rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create a new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundations for numerous other churches in the city. He also widened the streets and ensured that buildings were constructed from brick rather than timber. The city became less crowded because of the fire.
replacement windows london are a classic part of London's architecture, and have been around for hundreds of years. They are well-known because of their blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took an extended time to get to where they are now.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th century and included an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. This allowed the window to extend to the outside of the room, but not into the sky. As time passed the sash's shape was changed to resemble an open-air box window. The sash is still a well-known and frequently used window in many different kinds 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 shows the possibility of a scene to take place. She added, "It's a very atmospheric space and it's easy to imagine what's happening in the room beyond it."
Andy Summers is an artist who has captured more than 80 bricked-up windows throughout the City of London for his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that initially, he was intrigued by the design of the windows, but he has realized that they have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
The capital of the United States, with its rich and lengthy history is home to a number of stunning period structures. Sash windows are often associated with historical 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 contemporary times. They are notorious for letting draughts in and being difficult to shut or open and causing their mechanisms to jam. A new double-glazed sash made by Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It's a premium timber product that's easy-to-operate and provides excellent energy efficiency.
The sash window was developed by English craftsmen, but it isn't certain. They are also credited with modifying building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These frames with recessed edges give Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive look.
The sash itself is made up of small panes of glass held within glazing bars, or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of multiple panes, as glass was costly. If one of them broke replacing it would be expensive. The cost of glass has dropped drastically, and windows are now made up of one pane, with an astragal bars that give them the appearance of smaller panels.
Sash windows can be opened through sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened from both ends, which is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes inside the frame are secured by a cord. The weights are concealed in the box frame to balance the weights.
Many sash windows are over 100 years old and could be suffering from issues like rattles and draughts. However we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and have met the strict building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Bricked up windows
You might have noticed something odd as you wander through the streets of old England - windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. This may sound odd, but it's for a very good cause, and it's a matter of money. In 1696, a window tax was applied to homeowners in proportion to the number of windows that were in their homes. Also known as the 'daylight robbery', this tax was so resented that people went to extreme lengths to avoid it.
Some people chose to brick up their windows or construct homes without windows. This window-blocking was short-lived because the 'daylight-robbery fee was finally eliminated in 1851. It's not uncommon to see windows that have been smashed up on the sides of older buildings. You can determine if they are windows by taking a look at the lintel or sill that is matched to the original glass.
Look for the step back line in the brickwork that mimics the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to check if the bricks are all identical in colour. 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.
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 checking out. The exhibition takes a look at the effect light and air have on our health and also explores ways in which we can improve our health.
The exhibition isn't without faults. It is notable that it states that "many" of the properties included were bricked to get around the Georgian window tax of the Georgian era. (And not only because of a general disdain for the tax.) The exhibition doesn't consider the conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called "lockdown" period.