Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Why Do All Historic Homes In The Chiswick Area Have Sash Windows?

By Nathan Madeley


There is an answer to why all historic homes in the Chiswick area have sash windows. This ancient village in England is now part of Greater London. The majority of its houses are from the Georgian, Victorian, and Edwardian periods, being built during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Not every historic house in this ancient parish, which has many listed properties, has sashes, of course. One of the most famous examples of Palladian architecture in the country, Chiswick House (which also has an historically important garden) has Venetian windows. However, the use of sashes, which were invented in England, are the norm for homes built during the Georgian period and later.

The style was preferred for Georgian houses and went right into the more elaborately decorative Victorian homes without a hitch. King Edward VII brought the earlier grandeur back into fashion, so sashes remained popular. However, the efficiency of the design and the ease of living with this means of bringing light and ventilation into a room were just as important in keeping the style a preferred one.

The region was a rural one, with an economy based on fishing and agriculture, but was close enough to provide many London residents with a country retreat. The population boom was concentrated in the 1800s and the early 1900s, before World War I, which is why those three architectural trends are so predominant. Land speculators built planned communities for the overflow from the city, such as Bedford Park.

This community, whose name meant 'cheese farm', has been a fashionable address for centuries. It suffered much damage from enemy bombing, which was repaired with an eye to keeping the historical integrity of original houses. Some of the early pubs are still operating and there are many listed properties as well as newer shopping districts, cultural activities, and family-oriented parks and events.

Sash windows are important to the ambiance of this suburb of London. A quick online search will show that there are many experts to guide homeowners in restoration or new construction projects. Both civic and private sources of information stress the importance of keeping traditional styles pure. Happily, this type of window does not involve any sacrifice of utility, energy efficiency, security, or beauty.

Understanding why all historic homes in the Chiswick area have sash windows is important for residents and those who might wish to become part of this place which is a valuable heritage from the past.




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