How Sash Windows Evolved Over The Years
July 13, 2010
Sash Windows are associated with the architecture of the 18th and 19th centuries. Their popularity stemmed from their larger panes of glass and more elegant proportions than casement windows.Despite much debate, the sash window is now thought to have originated in Yorkshire, England. They were developed there to keep out wet weather while permitting air to circulate by leaving a narrow opening, and were also protected from rot and distortion by being closed in a box.
Sash windows were a huge improvement over their predecessors, both aesthetically and practically, and were incorporated into older homes as well as being favoured for new buildings. Many were later removed, however in order to avoid paying the window tax of the late 18th/early 19th centuries.During the Georgian era, sash windows became what they are today, with the development of the two moving sashes. Glass remained expensive and was marked with large bull’s eye patterns in the centre of each pane due to the way it was made. As techniques improved, larger panes became available and were used to create the characteristic Georgian windows, with narrow glazing bars and six panes in each sash. They are considered characteristic of the Regency style.
The Victorians continued to favour sash windows, but added their own style with elaborate carved and moulded ornamentation. Victorian houses often have large bay windows and elegantly proportioned façades with the windows getting gradually smaller as their height from the ground increases. Four paned sashes often indicate a Victorian style. While the absence of glazing bars was originally a status symbol, many people put in windows that imitated older styles once sheet glass had become cheaper and more commonly used during the late 19th century.
During the 20th century, sash windows have tended to disappear from our streets, being replaced by cheaper, mass-produced windows. Demand has recently grown again due to increased awareness of architectural history. These modern versions are produced with all the latest advances in technology, but retain the traditional style and elegance of older sashes, along with their functional design.
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