Who Invented Sash Windows And What Are Their Beginnings

If you want to know who invented the sash window and what is its origins you may be surprised to hear that this delightful invention dates back to the sixteenth century. There is a little controversy surrounding the origins, but it is popularly believed that an architect named Robert Hooke designed the first sash windows.

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 increasing weight of the panels led to the designing of the pulley system including sash cords, which were build into the window frame itself. This ingenious idea made for a beautiful window that was easy to operate. Later designs allowed for both lower and upper panes to be movable.

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.

Sadly, the recession and the onset of the First World War and the industrialization process meant that this expensive and slow to manufacture type of window lost popularity. They were expensive to manufacture due to the materials needed and soon other more easily and cheaply made frames became more popular. The sash window is still a classic way to beautify the exterior of any home and it is unique thanks to its unique sash weight system.

A sash window company London will help you to have an attractive exterior for your home. Contact the professionals for sash window refurbishment London area.