Sash Windows Delightfully Crafted By Carpenters With A Touch Or Skill In Their Fingers
Mostly one sees sash windows in historic homes which conjure up visions of pretty ladies in crinolines wearing floppy hats and holding parasols and men wearing snug fitting long tailored coats and knee-high riding boots over their breeches.
In a painting called The Milkmaid by a famous Dutch artist Vermeer one can clearing see a window of this type to the left of the woman. Robert Hooke a known English inventor and scientist from the mid seventeen century is credited with this invention for windows and to today there are still many fine Georgian and Victorian houses with six over six section sash windows to be seen.
The concept was invented at a time when glass sheets were still very thick and heavy and had to be placed in sturdy oak frames that could bear their weight. This unique design made up of two glazed sashes which slide in a timber frame supported by sashes and balanced with weights is still being applied when making modern sash windows.
The fact so little has been modernized in the basic concept and manufacture is a great tribute to the carpenters of old who made these first sashes which operate with cords and pulleys that make it easy to raise and lower these heavy contraptions. It is remarkable that without the computers and machinery of today that those men were able to construct so precisely with such lasting results.
Wood is a beautiful product to work with and gives a delightful finish but it has an unfortunate tendency to be easily altered by changing weather. This type of wear and tear over hundreds of years has caused many of these windows to be less effective at keeping out draughts. There are various experts available nowadays that redecorate the frames make them draught proof as well.
Because these fittings were originally so well made they still feature in many historic homes and are still in many cases in pristine working order and a person living there is not allowed to attempt any restorative work or changes to the house without obtaining permission from the relative overseeing council.
The style and elegance of a framed window with either clear glass or decorative stained panels is unique and bring an added stylish touch of a bygone era to any residence.
The new windows can in some instances rid a house of problems caused by aged and worn sash windows that remain esthetically pleasing and an efficient method to ventilate an area.
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