History of sash windows

This predates the vertical sash window and was a common feature across the country. The sliding sash window came to the fore after the great fire of London English Baroque, as the period became known, was responsible for many architectural masterpieces built with sliding sash windows, such as the remodelled Hampton Court See pictures , Greenwich and Kensington Palaces.

The actual design of the counter balanced window has not been attributed to any one person or any single geographical area. It is commonly accepted that the vertical sliding sash window was probably held open with wooden wedges and then this developed into a counter balanced idea, handmade lead weights held on twine rope.

Our fitting teams have come across some of these old weights and straggles of rope whilst removing some very old windows in listed buildings. Please fill out the online form and receive a reply within 24hrs. Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form. The architectural designs of the sash window mainly follow the development of glass. The process of manufacturing glass has been developed and improved over the last years.

Remodelled large Georgian town house circa s Sash windows set back 4 inches. Bow fronted Georgian town house circa Mathematical tiled. Georgian town house with bow windows circa s. These windows are in Brighton. Regency or late Georgian windows were distinctive in their design still retaining the multi paned look but incorporating ornate features and mouldings which was fashionable, especially in Brighton around the Prince Regents Royal Pavilion.

The Victorians brought with them development and glass technology. Other notable points of this time were the abolishment of the window tax The window tax had a big impact on period properties as you can see many bricked up windows were made as an architectural feature.

However this detail was commonly used in much later properties as a design from pattern books which many developers of this time used. Cylinder plate glass was developed in was introduced across English towns and cities form the s onward. This enabled the economical manufacturing of large and heavier panes of glass.

Victorian Sash Windows circa Edwardian sash windows circa The sliding sash window existed in Europe as early as the thirteenth century. During this period windows were no more than vertical sliding timber shutters. By the end of the sixteenth-century sash windows had become glazed, horizontally sliding sash windows, and by the mid-seventeenth century were superseded with vertical sliding sash windows, introduced mainly in France.

This type of window was used in passageways and staircases, as casement windows which opened inwards could be an obstruction to the occupants. It was during the post-restoration period, with the nobility returning from France, that much of the sophisticated architecture of the vertical sliding sash window crossed the Channel to England. It is believed that one of the first fully glazed vertical sliding windows was installed for Henrietta Maria, the Queen Mother, who, returning from France with her entourage, which included French joiners, influenced the refurbishment of Somerset House in London, which years later Ventrolla would renovate.

The exact timing of the development of the vertical sliding sash window with a counter balance is not precise, and numerous theories are proffered. It is widely believed that it was actually invented in England. In the space of 50 years from the Window tax and Glass tax were both introduced. The glass tax stopped anyone other than the very rich from having large panes and so the trend for multiple small panes of glass remained.

A sign of wealth was to have large windows with a single pane of glass per sash! When the duty on glass was removed in , the price of the glass fell dramatically, and the glass panes developed into larger panels with the windows only containing two panes per sash. The horns were often carved in unique styles and have become one of the hallmarks of a traditional timber sash window we see today. All rights reserved. Registered in the UK, Reg. History of Timber Sash Windows.

Sliding Sash Windows Sliding sash windows originated in Europe in the 13th Century, however, calling them windows was perhaps a bit of a stretch as in this period they were no more than vertical sliding wooden shutters.

Vertical Sliding Sash Windows It is believed that throughout the post restoration age after the aristocracy returned from France, that the sophisticated style of the upright sliding sash window moved across the Channel towards England.