Will we ever know who invented the sash window? At first everyone thought is originated in Holland during the 17th century. Then the thought was that they were created in England in the 1600′s. And yet another suggestion was that Britain was the creator in the mid 1600′s.
So what is the real answer? We may never know but in the book, Vulgaria the author W. Horman wrote about a window with levys going up and down which would suggest they had sash windows at that time. This book was written in 1519. In 1676 they were noticeably displayed at Chatsworth. In 1685 at the Banqueting House at Whitehall they replaced the original casements.
As early as the 1200′s there may be evidence that they were used in Europe. During the French Revolution improved versions of the windows began to arrive from France to England. ‘Sash’ is derived from the French word ‘chassis’ which means frame.
England is believed to have invented the first weighted and balanced sash windows. Whether or not they were invented there they definitely found their calling with its moist, mild weather. They are less likely to rot than other window types and can be just slightly opened which suits those climate conditions.
These windows soon became very popular with the upper class throughout Britain. Windows that were originally installed in the 18th century are still in working condition. During the Georgian period the upper and lower frames were designed to both be movable. This was also the time that the ‘six over six’ pane formation became popular and the norm in most houses.
During the Victorian period these windows were part of the design of homes and buildings. The makers of these windows put a lot of quality work into their products. These windows have been around for 250 years from what we can tell. However, more recently the cost of manufacturing the windows has them on a decline in England. Plastic windows are becoming more popular because they are cheaper. But they will need to be replaced sooner than the wooden ones ever were.
We may never know who invented the sash window but we do know that they add a touch of elegance to any building or home. They can still be found in the houses built during the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian eras in Britain today. That has to amount to something if the homes of those great periods knew the quality of those windows at that time.
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