The Origins Of The Sash Window Explained
| Posted in Blogging | Posted on 03-09-2010
0
The origins of the sash window are generally thought to be in England, since there the earliest examples were seen in elegant houses. Windows, designed to let in light while shutting out the elements, were formerly fixed panels or casement windows, which were hinged at the sides, pushed outward to open and pulled in and latched to close.
This style, a major innovation that differed greatly from earlier casement windows, is generally credited to a a major scientist and inventor, Robert Hooke. Hooke was an industrious man who coined the term ‘cell’ for the living units of biology he observed with a homemade microscope, discovered many principles of the law of gravity, designed some of London’s most historic buildings, and surveyed much of London after the Great Fire of 1666. He also studied the properties of glass and invented a balance spring which allowed for the watch to be created.
Robert Hooke, a brilliant man born in England in the 1600s, was both a practical man skilled in clock making and surveying, a skilled architect, a biologist, and a physicist. He studied gravity, the properties of glass, and invented a balance spring that led to the development of the watch. It is easy to see how these studies contributed to his window, moving up and down with a weight to offset the pull of gravity, with muntins (strips of wood holding individual panes of glass in a frame) to relieve stress on the amount of glass needed for large panels, and attractive enough to grace a stately home.
As early as the 1670’s, sash windows were installed in some principal houses in Britain, such as the Ham house as it was remodeled after Elizabeth, Countess of Dysart, married the wealthy Duke of Lauderdale. The frames were made of wood, and the widows were single glazed.
Repairing these old windows is an option that many choose, since a handy homeowner with simple tools and a vast amount of patience can do the job. Others wish to retain as much of the original structure as possible when renovating an historic property. Replacement is an option as well, as many reproduction windows are manufactures out of traditional materials, and custom woodworking mills can make exact replicas of old designs.
The sash window has not been changed much over the years, although single glazing has often given way to double and even triple glazing for energy efficiency. Glazing is a term for a transparent panel in a wall; single means one thickness, while double and triple glazing simply fist more than one panel in a frame, with air spaces in between.
The origins of the sash window are fun to trace, as are the changes, not so much in design as in materials. Today’s windows may be made of soft or hard wood, metals such as aluminum and vinyl, and even fiberglass.
If you found this article interesting, you can get more information about Sash Window companies in London today! The professionals at a Sash Window draught proofing service will enhance and improve your home fast!

