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Sash windows are an integral component of 18th and 19th century style. Their large panels of glass within gracefully proportioned frames offered an attractive and functional alternative to casement windows.
After years of controversy, experts now believe they were originally invented in Yorkshire. Sash windows were designed to allow a small gap for ventilation without letting in the rain, and were also less prone to rotting and distortion due to their enclosure within a box.
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.During the Georgian era, sash windows became what they are today, with the development of the two moving sashes. Glass was still expensive and marked with central bull’s eyes by the manufacture process. Once larger panels became available the classic six-paned Georgian windows appeared. 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 often indicate a Victorian style. 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. Recently people have begun to take an interest in the historic character of their homes, resulting in greater demand for traditional style sash windows. Sash windows today use all the latest technology, but retain the elegance and functionality of traditional sashes, and preserve the historic style of the older houses.
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