- How windows have changed from the ancient world to modern times
- Why windows became a status symbols for the rich
- How modern technology and timeless style combine to create The Origin Window
In the modern home, windows are one of the most important features. They add character, give additional insulation and provide any room with well needed natural light. The function and form of the window has changed dramatically over the years, and the technologically advanced windows we find in modern houses are a far cry from the primitive structures our ancestors built in their homes.
Ancient World
Roman Egypt saw the first instance of glass windows in use, prior to this, windows consisted of holes in the wall. Ordinary people used wooden shutters to keep out draughts and let in light.
Medieval Era
Most Anglo-Saxon houses were made of wood, so windows were little more than holes in the wall. Windows were simply incorporated to enable light to come into the home, and animal skins would have been put in front of the window for insulation.
Reconstructions such as Bede's World in Northumbria and West Stow in Suffolk will give you an idea of what genuine Anglo-Saxon windows would have looked like.
After the Norman Conquest, more and more buildings were made out of stone, so windows came in the form of mullions made of timber or stone. Glass could only be afforded by the very wealthy, so thin sheets of animal horn were used in the houses of ordinary people. For the very poor, windows would often still just be holes in the wall.
Churches began to use stained glass in the middle ages, but sometimes, the windows remained empty and left the inside of the structure exposed to the elements. During the medieval period, the precursor to the bay window also appeared: the oriel window.
Examples of medieval mullion windows can be seen in Merchant Adventures' Hall in York, and oriel windows can be seen in some of the medieval colleges in Cambridge and Oxford.
During the Tudor era, glass became more readily available to the middle classes, and more and more houses started to be glazed.
1700s, early 1800s
Sash windows had started to be manufactured in the late 1600s. Vertical sliding sash windows became the norm in standard housing during the following century.
Plate glass was introduced c.1700 but would not become the dominant process over crown glass until the 19th century. Crown glass involved a blown glass bubble flattened, reheated then rotated to create a dome shape. It could then be cut into shapes or filled in as appropriate. It was a cheap and efficient way of making glass for windows.
When it came to the houses of the wealthy classes, the bigger the better was the rule! Larger windows meant the room in question had a greater status. The window tax, which had been introduced in the late 1600s, meant that the more windows a house had, the more money the occupants had to pay. Some people bricked up their windows to avoid this tax, and you can still spot bricked up windows in older properties today.
Victorian era
Glass manufacturing became more efficient after industrialisation, and the cylinder method became widely used to create sheet glass. This involved rolling glass into flat sheets, rather than creating a dome and crown glass windows.
Revival of gothic designs became popular, and these can be clearly seen in the new build of the Houses of Parliament and St Pancras Station. There was also a return of oriel windows in these designs, seen in gothic revival buildings such as these two.
Modern Day
As technology and industry have become more advanced, so have our designs of windows become more exciting. In the latter half of the twentieth century, plastic windows PVCu became popular due to their ease of manufacture and design possibilities. Aluminium windows gained popularity in the 1970s, and due to an acceleration in technology and manufacture, they are the most advanced type of window. Advances in glass production and glazing mean that houses can have larger windows without compromising insulation too.
At Origin, we have taken the evolution of windows to the next level. With industry firsts such as the double twin flush casement and the introduction of Aerogel, which offers unbeatable thermal insulation, you can guarantee added value and comfort to your home.
Why choose the Origin Window?
The Origin Window has the unique ability to strike the perfect balance between a timeless, classic design and ground breaking technology which ensures the system offers unparalleled thermal efficiency, durability and practicality for the modern day.
Optimal Thermal Efficiency
Introducing Aerogel – it's not only the stuff that your window dreams are made of, but the stuff that NASA uses to insulate its space shuttles. A revolutionary material pioneered and used exclusively in the fenestration industry by Origin, Aerogel is an optional upgrade to our window system. Utilised in the thermal break, it helps the Origin Window achieve a revolutionary certified U-Value of 0.8.
Combine Aerogel with the Origin Window and it will also achieve an astonishing A++ (21) energy rating. Thermal efficiency, reduced energy bills and less sound transfer all in one window and delivered with the usual Origin style and finish.
Even without Aerogel, the Origin Window is highly thermally efficient, as it has been designed to keep your home warm when it's chilly and cool when it's hot. Featuring an advanced triple weather seal, the Origin Window ensures that the elements are kept outside and that energy bills stay low.
Twin Flush Casement
You heard it here first. The Origin Window features an industry-first twin flush casement. This now completely removes any overlapping framework that is often synonymous with aluminium rebated systems, helping create the stunning internally and externally flush finish.
And thanks to the strength of the grade of aluminium that Origin use, the Origin Window ensures less window and more light to be achieved without compromising on security.
Durability
By combining a premium grade aluminium with precision engineering and exceptional craftsmanship, Origin have a proven track record in delivering high quality, functional and stylish products that are built to last.
Safety
The Origin Window is highly functional in satisfying building regulations for emergency exits, restricted openings and even for marine based dwellings. They can be specified with discreetly designed trickle vents that sit inside the sash for additional ventilation in required rooms, ensuring they meet and surpass building regulations.
Practicality
The advancements in Origin's manufacturing techniques mean that the Origin Window can be made to fill huge apertures in an array of different configurations and opening arrangements, which enables homeowners to think imaginatively when looking at Windows – as it's no longer a case of having like for like – walls of windows and glass are now possibilities to bring the maximum amount of light into a home.
Windows have evolved into something remarkable. With aerogel technology and twin flush casements, an Origin Window guarantees a revolutionary design to improve your home.