Sash windows are familiar to the parts of the world influenced by English designs in architecture. This style was invented in Georgian times and has been used ever since.
Although the origin of this style is not completely established (by a registered patent, for instance), the creator is generally held to be an English scientist and inventor, Robert Hooke. He was instrumental in rebuilding London after its Great Fire of 1666, being named official surveyor and designing many of the principal buildings built in the 70s. Hooke used his knowledge of clock making and studies in gravity to create his innovative design, one which has never gone out of fashion.
The window, which consists of one or more movable panels set with panes to let in light and with a sash which can be raised and lowered for ventilation, was used more often than any other in Georgian and Victorian architecture. Thus it became a part of the heritage of many. Remember that the father 'threw up the sash' and looked out on St. Nick and his tiny reindeer.
Think of all the scenes in movies when a sneaky burglar silently raises an unlocked window to creep inside, or how many times you yourself have gotten in when you have misplaced the key to the front door. How about the suspense or comedy shows when a window is shut just before the eavesdropping hero or heroine hears the vital clue?
How about pies left to cool on a window sill, a traditional lure for hungry boys or vagrants passing by? How many best friends or lovers have tossed pebbles at the window to encourage someone to come out for adventure or romance? How many college boys have serenaded their lady through an open window of a sorority house?
It is just as romantic when a fresh breeze flutters the curtains, or the sound of awakening birds ushers in the dawn along with the coolness of the morning. The sounds of children playing outside is part of summertime, reminiscent of times before air conditioning, and there has been many a marital argument over whether the window should be open or closed.
Changes in sash windows have been mainly in security features and in the number of moving panels. The essence of the design has not changed in over three hundred and fifty years. Pretty cool.
Although the origin of this style is not completely established (by a registered patent, for instance), the creator is generally held to be an English scientist and inventor, Robert Hooke. He was instrumental in rebuilding London after its Great Fire of 1666, being named official surveyor and designing many of the principal buildings built in the 70s. Hooke used his knowledge of clock making and studies in gravity to create his innovative design, one which has never gone out of fashion.
The window, which consists of one or more movable panels set with panes to let in light and with a sash which can be raised and lowered for ventilation, was used more often than any other in Georgian and Victorian architecture. Thus it became a part of the heritage of many. Remember that the father 'threw up the sash' and looked out on St. Nick and his tiny reindeer.
Think of all the scenes in movies when a sneaky burglar silently raises an unlocked window to creep inside, or how many times you yourself have gotten in when you have misplaced the key to the front door. How about the suspense or comedy shows when a window is shut just before the eavesdropping hero or heroine hears the vital clue?
How about pies left to cool on a window sill, a traditional lure for hungry boys or vagrants passing by? How many best friends or lovers have tossed pebbles at the window to encourage someone to come out for adventure or romance? How many college boys have serenaded their lady through an open window of a sorority house?
It is just as romantic when a fresh breeze flutters the curtains, or the sound of awakening birds ushers in the dawn along with the coolness of the morning. The sounds of children playing outside is part of summertime, reminiscent of times before air conditioning, and there has been many a marital argument over whether the window should be open or closed.
Changes in sash windows have been mainly in security features and in the number of moving panels. The essence of the design has not changed in over three hundred and fifty years. Pretty cool.
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