Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started out as a fascination for the visuals of London's bricked-up windows has become an examination of the role air and light 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 resulted in a change in architecture and the creation of sash windows.
What is a Window?
A window is a small opening which is built into a door, wall or roof for the purpose of letting in light and air. It is usually 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.
There are many different types of windows but the ones that are most commonly associated with London are sash windows. These are windows that open vertically which open via an opening mechanism that slides. They're still a popular feature in many older houses, however they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually made from uPVC and can be opened in the same manner as traditional sash windows however with a lot more 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 that slide up and down within the frame and then overlap when opened. The movement of sash is made possible by a system of pulleys, weights, and counter balances that can be hidden within the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open, or by cranking them as doors. They can be single hanging, double-hung or casement. A casement opens outward, and may have sashes that are fixed in place or tilted to aid in cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and swing in or out like an awning or be opened by turning the crank.
A sash window is an elegant feature in any home and it is not difficult to see why they were so popular for so long. However, they aren't without their drawbacks. One of the main problems is that it could be a challenge to ensure their security in the current security concerns. This is the reason why we suggest that you think about replacing your windows that were sash-based with the most recent tilt and turn models which are more effective in keeping intruders out.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous blaze that spread through the city centre on September 2nd, 1666. By the time the fire was extinguished on the 6th of September, only around four-fifths of the city left standing. It destroyed 13,000 homes, 89 churches, and 52 Guild Halls. A large number of people were left homeless. It is believed that the fire started because of the bakery in Pudding Lane. The flame quickly spread thanks to warehouses filled with combustible materials and a strong easterly wind. It is estimated that around 16 people were killed.
After the fire that followed, King Charles II set about rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren was commissioned to create the new St Paul's Cathedral, and he also laid the foundation for numerous other churches throughout the city. He also widened the streets and made sure that buildings were built with brick rather than timber. east london double glazing became much less overcrowded as a result of the fire.
Sash windows have been part of London architecture for many centuries. They are well-known for their combination of traditional style and modern technology. It took some time to reach where they are today.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th Century and had bars that were vertically sliding and a fixed window sash. This allowed the window to expand to the outside of the room, but not into the sky. As time passed the sash's design modified to look like a box window. The sash continues to be an extremely 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 who has returned to his family. "I like it because the scene could happen." She said, "It's a very atmospheric space and it's simple for me to imagine what's happening in the room beyond it."
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 initially was drawn to the aesthetics, but later realized that these windows have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As a city with a past as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to some beautiful period buildings. And sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historical buildings. From elegant townhouses to quaint terraces, they can be seen everywhere in the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity, traditional sash windows don't always give the best impression in contemporary times. They have a reputation for letting in draughts and being difficult to open or close, and often getting stuck. 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 offers great energy efficiency.
The sash window was created by English craftsmen, but it isn't certain. They are also credited with changing building regulations after the Great Fire, which led to wider windows being replaced with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames provided Georgian and Victorian buildings their distinctive facades.
The sash itself is comprised of small glass panes that are encased in glazing bars or muntins. The windows were originally made up of multiple panes because glass was so expensive that if one broke it would be expensive to replace it. Today, the cost of glass has sunk drastically, so windows are usually composed of one pane that has astragal bars attached to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding or using the box sash. Double-hung sashes can be opened from both sides. The two sashes inside the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to help balance the weights.
Many of the windows made of sash in historic buildings in London are over 100 years old, and they can start to exhibit problems such as rattles and draughts. However, we can replace them with modern, double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and meet stringent building regulations for thermal performance, security, and acoustic insulation.
Bricked-up windows
You may have noticed something odd as you wander through the streets of old England windows are sometimes replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's a very solid reason for it and it has to do with money. In 1696, there was a window tax that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount depending on the number of windows their homes had. Known as the 'daylight robbery the tax was so hated that people went to great measures to avoid it.
One method was to construct their homes with a minimal amount of windows, or even without windows altogether, while others would brick them up. The window-blocking practice was a short-lived one because the 'daylight-robbery fee was eventually eliminated in 1851. However, it's still common to see windows with bricks on the sides of older buildings and you can determine if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill which match up to the place where the glass would have been.
Look for the lines of stepped back in the brickwork that resembles the lines of the glass on either side. Also, look to see if the bricks are all the same colour and if there's a gap within 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 is an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth checking out. The exhibition takes a look at the impact that light and air has on our wellbeing and it also explores ways in which we can improve our health.
The exhibition has its faults, most notably in the claim that "many" of the properties that were featured had their windows blasted off to avoid the Georgian-era window tax (and not just due to the general dislike for the tax). It doesn't also take into account conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, after the introduction of window tax and the so-called "lockdown" period.