In many European, and now some American homes, a common fixture is the sash window, which first debuted in the seventeenth century. The design of the fixture has become significantly more modern, but still pays homage to its original design. Thus, the history of sash windows is vital to its success as a home feature today.
It is difficult to pinpoint the precise year in which these innovative windows first began appearing in homes. In a 1519 book by W. Horman Valgaria, a piece with many similarities to a sash design is described. However, it is not known whether this marks the beginning of its construction or is a mere coincidence.
Beyond this ambiguity, it is common believed that the window experienced its first surge in popularity in about the 1670's. By this decade, many larger estate-style homes in England featured it. Availability of plate glass expanded the market for the fixture around the 1850's, when they became, not only more common, but larger as well.
Scientist and architect Robert Hooke is credited with inventing the model. The original featured individual panes of glass, all slightly taller than they were wide, held together with lead in a wrought iron frame. It was movable via a weighted rope concealed inside the frame that lowered as the window opened and raised as it closed. Initially, these were known as Georgian Sashes.
As mentioned above, the popularity of plate glass aided in this window's development. Panes became larger, leading to the Regency design, in which two big frames sit over two more. Finally, from the twentieth century was born the commonly known Edwardian style, constructed with one solid pane on top and one on bottom. This modern version still utilizes Hooke's weight pulley system as a means of opening and closing the panes.
Perhaps one of the greatest features the windows offer is maximum control over ventilation. Because the weighted pulleys hold the panes in place no matter where they are, you determine their exact placement every time.
Throughout history, these fixtures have been referenced in many fictional romantic settings. Whether it be a young maiden being serenaded at twilight or a child anxiously awaiting Saint Nick, they have been featured right alongside some of literature's most memorable moments. This is a testament to both their longevity and versatility.
As the history of sash windows illustrates, the now ubiquitous fixture has had an exciting evolution. It has been largely impacted by the development of the glass industry but has held its own in the architectural world for over three centuries and will continue to hang in there.
It is difficult to pinpoint the precise year in which these innovative windows first began appearing in homes. In a 1519 book by W. Horman Valgaria, a piece with many similarities to a sash design is described. However, it is not known whether this marks the beginning of its construction or is a mere coincidence.
Beyond this ambiguity, it is common believed that the window experienced its first surge in popularity in about the 1670's. By this decade, many larger estate-style homes in England featured it. Availability of plate glass expanded the market for the fixture around the 1850's, when they became, not only more common, but larger as well.
Scientist and architect Robert Hooke is credited with inventing the model. The original featured individual panes of glass, all slightly taller than they were wide, held together with lead in a wrought iron frame. It was movable via a weighted rope concealed inside the frame that lowered as the window opened and raised as it closed. Initially, these were known as Georgian Sashes.
As mentioned above, the popularity of plate glass aided in this window's development. Panes became larger, leading to the Regency design, in which two big frames sit over two more. Finally, from the twentieth century was born the commonly known Edwardian style, constructed with one solid pane on top and one on bottom. This modern version still utilizes Hooke's weight pulley system as a means of opening and closing the panes.
Perhaps one of the greatest features the windows offer is maximum control over ventilation. Because the weighted pulleys hold the panes in place no matter where they are, you determine their exact placement every time.
Throughout history, these fixtures have been referenced in many fictional romantic settings. Whether it be a young maiden being serenaded at twilight or a child anxiously awaiting Saint Nick, they have been featured right alongside some of literature's most memorable moments. This is a testament to both their longevity and versatility.
As the history of sash windows illustrates, the now ubiquitous fixture has had an exciting evolution. It has been largely impacted by the development of the glass industry but has held its own in the architectural world for over three centuries and will continue to hang in there.
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Sash windows are a popular option for homes in numerous places. View the inventory at a London sash window company to renovate or replace your windows.
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