Over the past few years, authentic design features have become highly desirable in homes. They have become something of a rarity due to the constant home improvements that have been so popular in recent decades. Now that so many, like sash windows, have been lost, we are understanding the true worth of these little pieces of history.
Sash windows get their name for the French word for frame, which is CHASSIS. The place of the window's origin is debated, but thought to be England or Holland, at least four hundred years ago. They really took off in Britain, and now are symbolic of period buildings of all sizes.
Usually, sash windows have an oak frame containing two panels. Within each panel there are six small panes, and each panel can be opened separately with a pulley. In period properties the frames are a few inches back from the masonry, as they were thought to be a fire risk when level with the bricks. In the days before planning permission, this was hard to regulate, so it did not always happen!
The reason why these windows became so popular is simply that people could see through them much better than their predecessors with their tiny individual leaded panes. When Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St. Paul's Cathedral) began using them, they were here to stay.
When window tax was introduced in the seventeen hundreds, many homeowners blocked their up with brick, to avoid the hefty charges. Although obviously many sash windows were lost, this made them more desirable, as only wealthier people could now afford to keep them.
Technological advancements meant that larger, individual panes of glass could be made. People no longer wanted lots of panels, and so many were ripped out to be replaced by the new design. At this stage sash windows were considered to be out of fashion.
In modern times, original windows are highly sought after but are expensive to replace at reclamation yards, so restoring any that you have will makes very good sense. Any draught problems are easy to fix with modern techniques, so there is no need to have them replaced.
Today, local authorities recognize that these features have historical worth, and are needed to complete the appearance of a building. For this reason, many period properties have listed status and sash windows are often protected. Windows are such an important aspect of how a house looks, that they need to be in fitting with the rest of the building.
Sash windows get their name for the French word for frame, which is CHASSIS. The place of the window's origin is debated, but thought to be England or Holland, at least four hundred years ago. They really took off in Britain, and now are symbolic of period buildings of all sizes.
Usually, sash windows have an oak frame containing two panels. Within each panel there are six small panes, and each panel can be opened separately with a pulley. In period properties the frames are a few inches back from the masonry, as they were thought to be a fire risk when level with the bricks. In the days before planning permission, this was hard to regulate, so it did not always happen!
The reason why these windows became so popular is simply that people could see through them much better than their predecessors with their tiny individual leaded panes. When Sir Christopher Wren (architect of St. Paul's Cathedral) began using them, they were here to stay.
When window tax was introduced in the seventeen hundreds, many homeowners blocked their up with brick, to avoid the hefty charges. Although obviously many sash windows were lost, this made them more desirable, as only wealthier people could now afford to keep them.
Technological advancements meant that larger, individual panes of glass could be made. People no longer wanted lots of panels, and so many were ripped out to be replaced by the new design. At this stage sash windows were considered to be out of fashion.
In modern times, original windows are highly sought after but are expensive to replace at reclamation yards, so restoring any that you have will makes very good sense. Any draught problems are easy to fix with modern techniques, so there is no need to have them replaced.
Today, local authorities recognize that these features have historical worth, and are needed to complete the appearance of a building. For this reason, many period properties have listed status and sash windows are often protected. Windows are such an important aspect of how a house looks, that they need to be in fitting with the rest of the building.
About the Author:
Get exclusive inside info on the history of Sash Windows now in our complete review of sash window refurbishment and everything you need to know about sash window refurbishment London .
0 comments:
Post a Comment