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.
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 favored 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. Blown glass with bull’s eye markings were the most common form, but still expensive. As better methods of making large panes were found, windows with six panels in each sash appeared, becoming characteristic of the Georgian sash window. They are considered characteristic of the Regency style.
The popularity of these windows have remained strong during the Victorian age, but they were ornamented with elaborate decorations. Gradated windows, diminishing in size with the height of the building, and large bay windows are characteristic of this period. Four paned sashes are more common in houses built at this time. 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. 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.
