Victorian & Edwardian Windows: The Age of Innovation

Georgian window styles did not suddenly change as the period drew to a close. However, the prevailing feature that distinguished Victorian windows from Georgian ones was the larger panes of cheap mass-produced glass, supported by fewer ovolo glazing bars. Four over Four, Two over Two, and eventually One over One are all typical Victorian window pane arrangements. Even earlier windows were frequently “modernised” by removing the original glazing bars in order to install larger sheets of glass, which is why you find horned windows in some Georgian Buildings.

The elemination of glazing bars did put additional strain on the relatively slim meeting rail of the upper sash, especially on the joint at each end of the rail. From about 1840, this joint was extended to include a wedged through tenon, which necessitated extending the vertical stile to reinforce the joint. This extension, known as the “horn”, was either bevelled or moulded. With their characteristic enthusiasm for anything decorative, the Victorians used a much greater variety of glazing bar arrangements than their Georgian predecessors.

The sash window is a complicated piece of joinery, yet it is designed in such a way that it can be easily dismantled when it is necessary to carry out repairs or maintenance.

Common Problems with Victorian Sash Windows
By the mid-19th century, sash windows had become larger and heavier. While the “horns” added strength to the joints, the increased weight of the glass often leads to specific issues over time:

• Sash Cord Failure: The heavier glazing puts extra strain on cords, causing them to snap more frequently than in Georgian windows.
• Rattling: As timber shrinks over 150 years, gaps appear, causing the sashes to rattle in the wind.
• Stuck Sashes: Many Victorian windows have been painted shut by decades of careless decoration.

Fortunately, our restoration service addresses all these issues, retaining the original Victorian sash windows while making them function like new.

Original Victorian sash windows are beautiful, but often suffer from rattles and heat loss due to their size. We specialize in discreet draught proofing that improves thermal efficiency without altering the historic appearance of your home.