Monday, May 23, 2011

Looking For Romance With Sash Windows

By Peter Thompson


No Georgian or Victorian style homes can be complete without the architectural delight of sash windows. Although there is one with similar operational features described in a book dated 1519, most historians agree they originated in mid-1600s in England. Their design is credited to Robert Hooke, an English scientist and inventor. Some historians believe they originated in Holland or France.

At that time in history, only homes belonging to the wealthy could afford glass to cover openings, but they were very heavy and difficult to operate. The builder ingenuously turned the casement design ninety degrees and set it inside a frame. Regardless of their origin, the sash design, replaced the cumbersome side-hung style.

They have movable panels that frame individual panes of glass and are opened either vertically or horizontally. There is a standard width of four feet that is seen in many late Victorian and Edwardian houses; however, any size can be custom built, as was in older homes with handmade units.

Sometime between 1676 and 1680, Chatsworth estate in England was one of the first places to have them. A few years later, in 1685, they were included in the design for the building where banquets were to be held at Whitehall. They used to be built in, becoming part of the structure until movable frames were invented.

Standard architectural designs during the Victorian era always included this style in homes and buildings. It was also during this time that the sash got more decorative with multiple panes with leaded lights. In 1894 the Building Act in England changed regulations which allowed them to stand away from the structure.

Sashes designed during the Georgian era were generally made of two movable pieces. Those were both divided into six panels with glazing bars. The humid and damp climate will eventually damage anything made of wood. There seemed to be less damage to this style of window than in others.

One of the reasons they lasted a long time, even in the humidity and dampness, is because they were set in a frame. Besides being protected from the elements, this also allowed them to be opened as little or as much as wanted. Even when it was raining heavily outside, air could flow throughout the room because they could be opened slightly.

During the Edwardian period, they were presented in bays. Medium and larger homes often had double bays or bow styles. These would typically be painted in the Queen Anne style of white.

Many romantic scenes from popular novels and films would not be the same without the sash windows. The 17th century Dutch painter, Johannes Vermeer, included one in his painting of a milkmaid in the early morning light. The estimated date of this is 1658.




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