The story of who invented the sash window and what is its origins is an interesting one that can be dated as far back as the sixteenth century. The man credited with the design of this classically beautiful and functional window is Robert Hooke, a renowned architect of the day.
It is there that the design was made popular by Robert Hooke and adopted by the British nation as a stylish addition to their homes. It was Robert Hooke who assisted in the survey following the devastating Great Fire of London in 1666 and he who designed the first sash windows in Britain.
He designed this stylish window to grace the homes of the period. As the design was modified it also became more standardized, with two panels, each containing six panes of glass. The bottom panel was fixed and the top panel was designed to be opened or closed to allow air to circulate through the room.
The heavy top frame was difficult to move unaided, hence the invention of the sash weights and pulley system to ensure that the window could be opened easily and with a smooth action. The ingenious idea of concealing this system within the frame has led to its enduring popularity. There is also a popular variation that allows for both panels to be movable within the frame.
The ability to open both upper and lower panels within the frame encouraged the circulation of fresh air within the room. During the fiery heat of summer cool air could be coaxed into the room, while during the winter fresh air could enter without allowing the rain and unpleasant weather in at the same time. Traditionally these windows are constructed from hardwood.
The first recorded image of a sash window appears in the painting known as The Milkmaid, by the renowned Dutch artist, Vermeer. It is dated to 1658 and the earliest example of a sash window in existence today can be dated to this period and can be seen in London’s Ham House.
They were expensive to build and had to be hand crafted due to the nature of their design. The First World War had a dramatic impact upon this industry as the materials to build these windows were expensive and hardwoods were difficult to come by at the time. The industrialization process did not suit the design of sash windows and they were less frequently used in modern architecture.
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categories: inventions,history,sash windows,wooden windows,glazing,glass,construction,builders,diy,home improvement,house,home,property,joinery
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