i am having a bit of a debate with the other half with regards to white windows on a 16thc pink cottage. it seems that all pink cottages or most that we have seen have white windows and doors. would this have been the case when they were first built or is it just a fad that has caught on over time?
- Thread starter robgil
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I don't know if this varies by area, but we have plenty of pink cottages around here in Suffolk. The history of windows according to Mid Suffolk DC is -
a) Windows originated in timber-framed houses as openings within the frame provided to let light in: the diamond or square cross section mullions of early windows generally followed the lines of the building's timber framing. They were originally unglazed and usually had an internal timer sliding (or hinged) shutter, the grooves for this being the only remaining clue to their former existence.
b) In the sixteenth century, along with the ceiling of rooms, and the provision of floors and chimneys to former open halls windows began to be glazed. Small diamond shaped panes of glass, known as quarries were set in lead cames in fixed or opening iron casement frames within the overall mullioned framework. These usually had ovolo mouldings providing a ledge for fixing the lights using nails.
c) In the seventeenth century the mullion an transom type of window was developed. Usually in oak with leaded light glazing it represents a transitional type towards more vertically orientated windows. The basic pattern was still in use in the nineteenth century but in painted softwood with nine large panes of glass.
d) In the eighteenth century, with the greater availability of softwood and larger panes of glass, the side hung timber casement developed from mullioned windows as a cheaper form of construction. Usually with two lights it was less suitable for 'classical' buildings but was commonly used in domestic and 'gothic' style buildings where a central mullion was acceptable.
So, when first built, you would have been in the "iron casements set in oak" period, but there aren't many of those left unfortunately. There are some nice ones in Bury St Edmunds though if you are near enough and want to see some.
The Mid Suffolk DC website here usually has some pictures to show the different types, but they don't seem to be working at the moment.
a) Windows originated in timber-framed houses as openings within the frame provided to let light in: the diamond or square cross section mullions of early windows generally followed the lines of the building's timber framing. They were originally unglazed and usually had an internal timer sliding (or hinged) shutter, the grooves for this being the only remaining clue to their former existence.
b) In the sixteenth century, along with the ceiling of rooms, and the provision of floors and chimneys to former open halls windows began to be glazed. Small diamond shaped panes of glass, known as quarries were set in lead cames in fixed or opening iron casement frames within the overall mullioned framework. These usually had ovolo mouldings providing a ledge for fixing the lights using nails.
c) In the seventeenth century the mullion an transom type of window was developed. Usually in oak with leaded light glazing it represents a transitional type towards more vertically orientated windows. The basic pattern was still in use in the nineteenth century but in painted softwood with nine large panes of glass.
d) In the eighteenth century, with the greater availability of softwood and larger panes of glass, the side hung timber casement developed from mullioned windows as a cheaper form of construction. Usually with two lights it was less suitable for 'classical' buildings but was commonly used in domestic and 'gothic' style buildings where a central mullion was acceptable.
So, when first built, you would have been in the "iron casements set in oak" period, but there aren't many of those left unfortunately. There are some nice ones in Bury St Edmunds though if you are near enough and want to see some.
The Mid Suffolk DC website here usually has some pictures to show the different types, but they don't seem to be working at the moment.
biffvernon
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No white windows in the 16th century. The timber of choice was oak, which would have been left untreated. By the mid 17th century substantial quantities of pine were being imported from Scandinavia to London and other east coast ports and when used in external joinery would have been painted with white lead and linseed oi paint. This gradually replaced untreated oak and became the commonest material through the 18th century. Coloured paint was introduced on a large scale in the early 19th century with the development of chemical dyes that were much cheaper to produce than mineral pigments, so that most windows in the Victoria era were richly coloured with red, blue, black and, particularly, dark green being favourite. White lead paint tends to yellow in polluted sulphurous air.
The abundance of white windows seen today dates from the 1950s when 'bright white' titanium dioxide pigment, which is less affected by air pollution, was introduced.
The abundance of white windows seen today dates from the 1950s when 'bright white' titanium dioxide pigment, which is less affected by air pollution, was introduced.
thanks guys , interesting stuff. my scenario is that i have a 16c pink cottage with metal white windows and a white door. the door and windows look as though they belong to a 50's bungalow so i will hopefully be changing them at some point.
the problem is i would like to put something more authentic in their place and untreated oak was something that was in mind. however i think i may need to get the building listed as building regs may not permit me to use old type windows.or would they insist on white metal windows?
the problem is i would like to put something more authentic in their place and untreated oak was something that was in mind. however i think i may need to get the building listed as building regs may not permit me to use old type windows.or would they insist on white metal windows?
biffvernon
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Hmmm...halve the size of the windows and cover with a bit of oiled cloth then.robgil said:
Flyfisher
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Good luck with your quest for 16th century authenticity. When are you removing all the electrical and plumbing facilities? :wink:
ok so i dont want to be that authentic but i do want some windows that are more fitting towards the house. i just dont think these metal windows look right on this house.
i know changing the windows wouldn't be such a huge crime in the world of old houses (would it?) but i am worried that changing the colour and frame material might be , especially as i am in a conservation area.
i really like the look of the brown windows on the house in the right of this picture,
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...ge&ndsp=18&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&start=450&um=1
as opposed to the metal , white windows i have now.
but i am not sure how i could go about putting in nice wooden framed windows and not have the building inspector telling me i need double glazing , bigger lintels or extra insulation on other parts of the house to compensate.
i know changing the windows wouldn't be such a huge crime in the world of old houses (would it?) but i am worried that changing the colour and frame material might be , especially as i am in a conservation area.
i really like the look of the brown windows on the house in the right of this picture,
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?i...ge&ndsp=18&hl=en&safe=off&sa=N&start=450&um=1
as opposed to the metal , white windows i have now.
but i am not sure how i could go about putting in nice wooden framed windows and not have the building inspector telling me i need double glazing , bigger lintels or extra insulation on other parts of the house to compensate.
skier-hughes
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Our Building co told us we needed double glazing. Our CO said he'd try to get single passed. Our BCO won. We are not listed.
Not listed and you'll have to go DG, but DG oak is fine.
Listed and you'll have to stick with like for like anyway wouldn't you, so metal?
Not listed and you'll have to go DG, but DG oak is fine.
Listed and you'll have to stick with like for like anyway wouldn't you, so metal?
Flyfisher
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Although I'd bet you could get LBC to change them. But it's a bit academic since everything I've read suggests it can be quite difficult and time-consuming to get a house listed - not that I've read everything and I'm certainly no expert, so you could be lucky.
Meanwhile, perhaps Biff could offer a sympathetic window design that meets current regs? It must be possible, surely.
biffvernon
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Oh that's easy. Just ask someone who makes oak windows with double glazing that look good in a building like that.robgil said: