The Historic Development Of The Sash Windows And Their Place In Architectural Design Business

The historic development of the sash window is a very interesting feature of construction. It features at least two panels one at the top and the other at the bottom. In most cases, the top one is the movable one. Most people consider the window just as a feature for lighting up the house and to some extent ventilation. However, windows have other important characteristics such as describing the architectural taste, style, building economics social hierarchy and changing times.

To appreciate the appearance of sash windows used in the olden days, it is very vital to learn more about them and their historical background. You should also remember there are many purported home improvement professions who are set on eliminating the historical sash windows which reduces the value many homes.

One thing you will note with the history of sash windows is that they are hardly the very first kind of windows. The initial models of windows were the small apertures in walls called the wind holes or eyes. These kinds of windows were protected with curtains, bars or paper cloth. They supplied very little light but were the beginning of the window as part of the architectural plans advanced in future by sash windows. That was in in the 17th century.

The earlier types of windows had a permanent top sash and a lower one which slid through a groove upwards. They could be held up by using metal catches or pegs. Later, there was the introduction of the double hung sliding sash which is common today.

The type of sash window featured both the top and the bottom panels hanging on cords with the aid of a counterbalance gadget called the double hung. Also there was the single -hung kind which used the same mechanism but just for the lower panel.

For more than 250 years, this type of sash window system remained the same with only its positioning in the wall changing. Unlike the current windows that are set at least four inches from the face, the early sash boxes were visible externally. The trend changed after the great fire of London, which cited the boxes as fire risks as fire easily spread from one box to the next.

Later on, some few improvements were added especially in installation. For example the box frames were placed at the back of the masonry thus leaving a broader space for the window. The evolvement of the glass pane is also an important part of history. You might think it was dictated by the constant changes in fashion trends, but the limitation of glass manufacture had the most significant effect. After that, glass production advanced leading to the popularity of sash windows. One can therefore say that the historic development of the sash windows has made them a lasting feature in architectural designs

Sash windows were installed in historic homes during times when electric fans were not an option. Many of the single glazed historic versions now have been replaced by double glazed wooden windows .