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Saturday, February 27th, 2010The architectural style of the 18th and 19th centuries is closely associated with sash windows. Their popularity stemmed from their larger panes of glass and more elegant proportions than casement windows.
Their origin has almost certainly been traced back to Yorkshire in 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 favored for new buildings. The window tax of the 18th and 19th centuries caused many of these fashionable windows to be taken out again, however. The window with two movable sashes was developed during the Georgian era. Glass remained expensive and was marked with large bull’s eye patterns in the center of each pane due to the way it was made. As better methods of making large panes were found, windows with six panels in each sash appeared, becoming characteristic of the Georgian sash window..
Sash windows continued to be popular during the reign of Queen Victoria, although carved and molded decorations were commonly added to them. Victorian houses often have large bay windows and elegantly proportioned facades with the windows getting gradually smaller as their height from the ground increases. Four paned sashes often indicate a Victorian style. The wealthy often chose to have older styles of window added to their property to distinguish themselves from the increasingly common use of plate glass sash windows with the slimmer glazing bars that were once prized.
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. Modern versions of the sash window preserve the traditional character of older properties, while combining all the latest developments in manufacturing processes with the grace and practicality that this style epitomizes.