Teaching Young Drivers: Sound Tips for Parents
Sash windows are an integral component of 18th and 19th century style. Their popularity stemmed from their larger panes of glass and more elegant proportions than casement windows.
After years of controversy, experts now believe they were originally invented in Yorkshire. They offered greater resistance to rot and distortion, while being able to keep out the weather and still allow fresh air in since they can be opened only slightly when it is raining.
There were both functional and aesthetic advantages to Sash windows, and many people chose to replace their old windows with them, while they were also popular in newly built homes. During the mid 18th century the introduction of the window tax caused many windows to be removed. The Georgian sash window took on the modern double sash form. Glass was still expensive and marked with central bull’s eyes by the manufacture process. As better methods of making large panes were found, windows with six panels in each sash appeared, becoming characteristic of the Georgian sash window. They became a key part of Regency architecture.
Sash windows continued to be popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, although carved and molded decorations were commonly added to them. Gradated windows, diminishing in size with the height of the building, and large bay windows are characteristic of this period. Four paned sashes are more common in houses built at this time. Imitations of older style windows were also popular towards the end of the 19th century, as the wealthy sought to differentiate themselves from the previously prized plate glass and narrow glazing bars that had became more affordable.
During the 20th century, sash windows have tended to disappear from our streets, being replaced by cheaper, mass-produced windows. An interest in conserving historical styles of architecture has recently revived the demand for sash windows, however. Modern versions of the sash window preserve the traditional character of older properties, while combining all the latest developments in manufacturing processes with the grace and practicality that this style epitomizes.
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