Glass window/panel on doorstep.

[Tam123]

Hello, Newbie here!

Firstly what a great site, I have been reading for a while now.

I am purchasing a Victorian semi 'Neva Villa' built in 1894. I have lots of questions to ask in time, but just wanted to find out about the glass window/panel that is set in the doorstep, maybe a silly question? Is it to light the cellar? If so I can not see it from down there so would that mean part of the cellar may be blocked?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Penners]

As you suggested, glass panels in the ground against the wall of the house were usually there to supply light into an "area" outside a cellar window.

Could the cellar window have been blocked up, perhaps? Are you able to lift the glass panel and see what's underneath?

 

[Tam123]

Thanks for the reply. I was not able to lift the glass as it is set so flush to the doorstep that I was worried about levering it...In case I crack it.
It looks as if there is space below it, though when you go down to the cellar (Which is quite narrow) There is no sign of any light. I think I need to check where the wall ends, would it be possible someone has put up a wall and the cellar is infact larger than I thought?

 

[Penners]

Anything is possible. Perhaps the cellar walls were damp and they constructed some kind of inner lining, or second skin of masonry.

Presumably you can't see through the glass? If it's frosted, try wetting it to see whether this helps its tranparency.

 

[dandrew]

Often there was an airbrick set into the front step in order to provide ventilation to the cellar, or the sub-floor of the hall.

Is it possible that someone has removed the airbrick and put in a piece of glass as an easy fix. I have seen this done with those glass bricks that used to be popular at one time

 

[NT]

You dont tell us what size or construction this glass thing is, and Im not clear on its position either. I guess all one can say is if there is glass leading to the cellar, and the cellar's completely dark, it may have been blocked off. That doesnt imply a large space blocked off of course, it might only have lost half an inch. Measuring length of cellar and comparing with ground floor may help answer the more room question.


"Anything is possible."

Sounds like the briefest possible accurate summary of PPs


NT

 

[Tam123]

The glass is approx A5 size, it is one piece of glass that is well worn, due to people walking over it, I presume. It is set in the centre of the front door doorstep. There seems to be space under it as when I wet it I could not see anything directly below it?
There is a coal shute in front of the doorstep to the right, this has been blocked up.

The cellar space is around 8ft x 4ft so a great deal smaller than the ground floor space, though all the walls all look to be of the same construction.

I am not due to move in untill the 5th October, so wont be able to have a good look again till then.