Daylight Robbery - London's Blocked-Up Windows
What started as a fascination with the city's bricked-up windows has evolved into an investigation into the role that light and air play in our well-being. The exhibition Daylight Robbery features 80 photos of the blocked-up windows all over the city.
The Great Fire of London marked the beginning of a new phase in the design of windows. This led to a shift in architecture and the introduction of sash windows.
What is a window?
A window is an opening constructed in a wall, door or roof to allow light and air. It is usually framed and spanned with panes of glass that are mounted to allow opening and closing. A window can be referred to as an aperture for windows, window light or window pane.
Sash windows are the most common kind of window in London. These are vertically-opening windows that open with the sliding mechanism. They are still a feature in many older houses, however they are not as prevalent in modern constructions. Modern double-glazed windows are usually constructed from uPVC and are opened the same way as traditional sash windows, but with much improved insulation.
Sash windows are distinctive and they were originally developed as a result the narrow streets of London and the fact that buildings were huddled together. Two sashes slide between the frame, and then overlap when opened. The movement of sash is assisted by a system of pulleys, weights, and counter balances that are hidden in the frame.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding them open or by cranking them as doors. They can be single-hung, double-hung or casement. A casement window can open outwards and may have one or more sashes that are fixed in place or tilt to help with cleaning. There are also a few casement windows which are mounted on hinges that permit the window to swing in and out, like an awning window, or can be opened by the crank mechanism.
A sash window is an elegant feature in any home, and it's easy to understand why they were popular for centuries. However, they do have their drawbacks. One of the main problems is that it's a challenge to keep them safe in the current security issues. We recommend that you replace your old sash windows with the latest tilt-and-turn models that are more effective in keeping burglars away.
The Great Fire of London
The Great Fire of London was an enormous fire that destroyed the city of London on the 2nd September 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. A large number of people were homeless. It was believed that the fire started because of 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, King Charles II set about rebuilding the city. Sir Christopher Wren designed a new St Paul's Cathedral and laid the foundations for dozens of churches across the city. He also built wider roads and made sure that buildings were constructed from bricks instead of timber. This meant that the city was much less overcrowded.
Sash windows are a traditional part of London's architecture, and have been in use for hundreds of years. They are popular for their combination of traditional design and modern technology. It took them a long time to reach where they are now.
The first sash windows were created in the 17th century and included a vertically sliding bar and a fixed window sash. The window could be opened outwards into the room, but not upwards towards the sky. The design of the sash was altered and it morphed into a box-shaped window. The sash remains a well-known and frequently used window in many kinds of homes and apartments.
Jen Pedler chose a trompe the l'oeil windows in Smithfield, which depicts the return of a sailor back to his family. "I like it because the scene could occur." It's a beautiful place and it's easy to imagine what might be going on in the room behind it," she said.
Andy Summers, an artist photographer, has taken photos of more than 80 bricked windows in the City of London as part of his ongoing project Daylight Robbery. He says that initially he was interested in the aesthetics of these windows but has since found that they have a significant historical significance.
Sash windows
As an area with a history as long and rich as that of London, the capital is home to some amazing period structures. Sash windows are often associated with historical properties. From elegant townhouses to quaint terraces, they can be seen throughout the capital's streets.
Despite their popularity in the past, the traditional sash window styles don't always look good in modern times. They are known for letting drafts in and being difficult to open or close and having their mechanisms clogged. But a new, double-glazed sash window by Lomax + Wood can be an oasis of fresh air offering a high-quality wood solution that's easy to operate and offers great energy efficiency.
The sash window was invented by English craftsmen, however it isn't known for certain. They are also credited with changing 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 recessed frames provided Georgian and Victorian buildings distinctive facades.
The sash itself consists of small panes of glass held within glazing bars, or muntins. In the past, windows were constructed of several panes, since glass was expensive. If one was damaged, replacing it would be costly. Today, the cost of glass has sunk drastically, so windows are usually composed of one pane with astragal bars applied to create the appearance of smaller panes.
Sash windows can be opened by sliding or using the box sash. They can also be opened at both ends, which is known as a double-hung sash. The two sashes in the frame are secured by a cord. Weights are hidden inside the box frame to balance the weights.
Many windows that are sash in the period buildings in London are over 100 years old and can begin to show signs of problems such as rattles and draughts. We can replace them however, by installing double-glazed sash windows that are FENSA registered and have strict building standards regarding thermal performance, security, and acoustic isolation.
Bricked-up windows
You may have noticed a peculiar sight as you wander through the streets of old England windows are often replaced with bricks. Although this may seem odd, there's actually a plausible reason for it, and it has to do with money. In 1696, a tax on windows was applied to homeowners according to the number of windows they had in their homes. The tax was referred to as the 'daylight theft', this tax was so hated that people went to great measures to avoid it.
Some people decided to block their windows or construct homes with no windows at all. Fortunately this window-blocking trend faded away because the 'daylight robbery tax was finally lifted in 1851. However, it's not uncommon to see bricked-up windows along the sides of older buildings and you can identify if they were originally windows by searching for a lintel and sill that are in line with the place where the glass would have been.
Another way to find out is to look for the stepped-back line in the brickwork which mimics the lines that the glass would have taken up on either side. Check to see if all the bricks have the same colour. If there is window repair london in the brickwork where the window ought to be, it is likely that the glass was not blocked.
The Daylight Robbery, an exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London is worth a visit for those who are interested in learning more about these windows. The exhibition looks at the effect light and air have on our wellbeing and it also explores ways to improve our health.
The exhibit does have its faults, most notably in claiming that'many' of the houses featured had their windows bricked off to avoid paying the Georgian-era window tax (and not just because of the general dislike for the tax). It also fails to consider the complexity of health issues especially health, after the introduction of the window tax, and during the so-called 'lockdown' period.