Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows What began as a fascination with London's bricked-up windows has become an examination of the role air and light play in our well-being. The exhibition, Daylight Robbery, features 80 photos of blocked-up windows in the city. The Great Fire of London marked an important turning point in the design of windows. This led to a shift in the design of windows and the development of sash windows. What is a window? A window is an 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 could also be called window light, window aperture or window pane. There are many different kinds of windows, however the ones that are most commonly associated with London are sash windows. These are windows that open vertically that open using the help of a sliding mechanism. These windows can still be found in older homes however they are not as common in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually constructed from uPVC and can still be opened the same way as traditional sash windows, but with a lot more insulation. Sash windows are distinctive. They were developed because of the narrow streets of London and the tightly packed buildings. They are distinguished by two sashes which slide up and down inside the frame, and they overlap when opened. The movement of the sash is supported by a system of pulleys and weights (known as counter balances) that can be concealed or visible in the frame. The sashes of a sash windows can be opened by either sliding them open or cranked like doors. They can be double-hung, single-hung or casement. Casements open outwards, and has sashes that are either fixed in place or tilted to help with cleaning. Certain casement windows hinge and swing in or out like an awning. They can also be opened using the crank. It's easy to see why sash windows have become so popular throughout the years. However, they aren't without their disadvantages and one of the main problems is that it can be a challenge to ensure their security against modern security concerns. This is why we recommend that you think about replacing your old sash windows with the latest tilt and turn models that are more effective in keeping the intruders away. The Great Fire of London The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that was a major threat to the city's centre on the 2nd September 1666. When the fire was finally put out on the 6th, 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 be the result of the Pudding Lane bakery. The blaze spread quickly thanks to warehouses containing explosive materials and a powerful easterly wind. It is estimated that about 16 people were 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 constructed wider streets and made sure buildings were constructed from brick instead of timber. The city became much 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 renowned because of their blend of traditional design and modern technology. It took some time to reach where they are today. The first sash windows were created in the 17th century. They featured an incline bar that could be slid vertically and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room but not upwards to the sky. Over time the sash's shape was changed to resemble a box window. The sash remains an extremely popular and widely used window in different types of houses and apartments. Jen Pedler selected a trompe-l'oeil in Smithfield that depicts a sailor who has returned to his family. I love it because it shows a scene that could actually take place. It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what would be happening in the room behind it, she said. Andy Summers, an artist photographer, has taken photos of more than 80 bricked-up windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says initially, he was intrigued by the aesthetics of these windows, but he has realized that they have an important historical significance. Sash windows As an area with a history as long and rich as London's, the capital is home to stunning period buildings. Sash windows are a feature that's often associated with these historic buildings. They can be located in the London streets, from aristocratic terraces to humble townhouses. Despite their popularity in the past, traditional sash windows styles don't always look appealing in contemporary times. They have a reputation for letting in drafts, being difficult to open or close and getting their mechanisms stuck. A new double-glazed sash from Lomax + Wood is a breath of fresh air. It offers a high-quality timber product that's easy-to-operate and provides excellent energy efficiency. lock repair london was developed by English craftsmen, but it is not known for sure. They are also credited with changing building regulations following the Great Fire, which led to the replacement of larger windows with frames that were narrower and less likely to catch fire. These recessed frames gives Georgian and Victorian facades their distinctive appearance. The sash itself is comprised of a few 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 costly. The cost of glass has fallen dramatically, so windows are now made up of one pane, with an astragal bar applied to give them the appearance of smaller panels. Sash windows can be opened either by sliding them or using an sash box mechanism. They can also be opened from both the top and bottom, which is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes of the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden in the box frame to balance the weights. Many sash windows in period buildings in London are over 100 years old and can start to suffer from issues like draughts and rattles. You can replace them however, by installing double-glazed sash Windows that are FENSA registered and that meet strict building regulations regarding thermal performance as well as security and acoustic insulation. Windows that have been smashed While walking through the streets of the old England you might have noticed that windows are often replaced by bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's actually a good reason behind it, and it's related to money. Back in 1696, there was a window tax that was imposed on homeowners, which increased the amount depending on the number of windows their houses had. The tax, also known as 'daylight theft' was so resented by the public that they went to extraordinary measures to avoid paying it. Some people chose to block their windows or build homes without windows at all. Fortunately, this window-blocking trend faded away because the 'daylight robbery tax was eventually canceled in 1851. However, it's not uncommon to see bricked-up windows on the exterior of older buildings and you can determine if they were originally windows by looking for a lintel and sill that are in line with where the glass would have been. Another method to determine this is to check for the stepped-back line within the brickwork that resembles the lines that the glass could have taken up on either side. Check to see whether all the bricks are the same color. If there is a gap in the brickwork where the window should be, it's likely that the glass never blocked. If you are interested in learning more about the history behind these windows, there is an exhibition at London's Victoria & Albert Museum called The Daylight Robbery which is worth a visit. The exhibition examines the impact of light and air on our health and wellbeing. The exhibition has its faults. Particularly, it claims that many of the homes featured were bricked up to avoid paying the Georgian window tax of the Georgian era. (And not just out of a general dislike of the tax.) It fails to consider the conditions that affect wellbeing, especially health, following the introduction of the tax on windows and the so-called lockdown period.
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