Georgian windows started being made in the 18th century and were popular until the 19th century.
Today, we’re looking at Georgian sash windows and exploring the history of this type of window.
A Georgian sash window is a thing of beauty. And the reason they are is because of their clever symmetrical design that always follows the same ratio.
Most Georgian windows follow the arrangement of six panes of glass, where the height is six times the width.
This is true even if your windows have 12 or 18 panes of glass. A Georgian window maintains its classic proportions and iconic design, regardless of the maker or date of production, by keeping this ratio.
One of the best things about a Georgian sash window is that there are different types to choose from. Back in the 18th century, a homeowner could choose to have casement or sash windows installed in their home.
A casement window is basically any window that opens on a hinge. Modern, double-glazed uPVC windows, for example, are casement windows. Including the Georgian-style double-glazed units, but more on them later.
Georgian buildings favoured this window style because it concealed the locks within the frame, making them more difficult to pry open compared to sash windows.
Traditional sash windows have been around in Europe since around the 13th century. People in the Georgian period loved them just as much as everyone else.
A sash window has two moving panels of glass that run in a groove on the window frame. Hidden in the window frame are sash cords and counterweights that allow you to open them easily. Sash windows are an icon of this era.
Both sash and casement Georgian windows have the same style when it comes to glass.
But why are these windows created in this way? We all know that a Georgian window has a very iconic style, but why do they have this style?
Why does a Georgian window have the smaller panes of glass that give them this iconic look?
In the 18th century, glass couldn’t be manufactured in larger panes with the same quality. Therefore, windows are made from smaller panes of glass, not for the character or style it creates but out of necessity.
Back then, window glass was created by glassblowers. To start with, the glassblower would create a large cylinder that was then heated up, cut, and flattened. If the glass got too big, imperfections would easily creep in.
Window makers would use smaller panes of glass divided by a wooden frame to keep the glass looking good and flat.
It wasn’t until the 1870s that a French company created a method of making glass that allowed them to make larger sheets of glass of a similar quality to the smaller panes of glass used across Europe for hundreds of years.
Once this method of glass-making was popularised, Georgian windows stopped being used as frequently.
Georgian bars are pieces of wood that separate the individual pieces of glass within the window frame. Each of these bars is actually held in the panes of glass.
Modern Astragal bars, on the other hand, are just to give an attractive appearance. Astragal bars don’t hold the glass in place but provide the look of several panes of glass.
So, Georgian bars actually have a purpose, but add bags of style to your window too. Astragal bars are simply copying the style of Georgian bars.
Like much of the Georgian world, the windows took advantage of the abundance of oak in England at the time. Almost all Georgian windows were made from oak.
Ash and other hardwoods may have been used if oak wasn’t available in the local area. If you have casement windows, the hinges and the latches will likely be solid brass.
Most modern windows are now made from aluminium and uPVC, but we’ll cover these below.
Chameleon restores and repairs Georgian windows with the highest quality timber that the 21st century offers. The timber we use in our restoration work is Accoya and Tricoya.
This is man-made timber that lasts over 50 years without any protection from the elements. With good quality paint, this timber could last 100 years or more.
We use Tricoya and Accoya on all of our restoration projects. It stands up to the elements and doesn’t warp and bow like traditional wood. Georgian-style windows often bow, shrink and move with the seasons.
This means that during different times of the year, the windows can be very hard to open or let a lot more air into the property.
With Accoya and high-quality modern wood fillers and paint. Our sash window specialists eliminate these issues while keeping the character of your home intact.
Window companies now offer modern Georgian-style windows made from aluminium or uPVC.
Typically, these have all of the styles of Georgian windows but are double or triple-glazed with solid panes of glass and faux Georgian bars to keep the look just right.
Most of the time, these Georgian-style windows are fitted into modern homes, but some window companies do say that they can be fitted into period properties, even if the building is listed.
Many homeowners, though, feel that these modern windows do change the character of their home, despite the best efforts of the window companies to make the style appear the same. If you feel the same, Chameleon is the perfect company to choose to restore your Georgian sash windows.
Georgian windows originally used single glass panes, that provided poor thermal insulation. There are several energy efficient glazing solutions that help to retain the traditional features of the Georgian window.
Today, many homeowners are choosing to double glazed units that can be retrofitted into original timber window frames. Double glazing provides improved thermal performance and helps reduce energy bills. Double glazing can be combined with acoustic glass allowing homeowners to enjoy a quieter and more energy-efficient living environment.
Another option is vacuum double glazing which offers excellent thermal efficiency in a slim profile. It is particularly suitable for historic houses where it is important to keep the original aesthetic appeal.
For houses where it is essential to retain the original single-glazed appearance, secondary glazing can be installed. The additional layer of glazing is installed on the inner side of an existing window to improve its thermal and acoustic insulation.
You can replace wooden windows, but replacing the wooden windows can often mean scarifying the style of your property. Even if you choose uPVC Georgian equivalents.
Our team can restore your period timber windows. We can also add double glazing to existing windows without altering your original windows.
We can restore all of the wooden trim on period properties, including the windows, window frames, and a great deal more. So, while you can replace windows, this is often very costly and will change the appearance of your home.
If you have timber frame windows in your property that you are considering replacing, call Chameleon first. We restore many windows that many other window companies claim are impossible to save.
We can repair any rotten timber sash windows, draught-proof your windows, and a great deal, all while keeping the appearance of your home intact.
