Window Accessories

When we talk about window accessories, we basically mean the various apparatus used to keep a window shut, or to prop it open. We stock the hardware for the windows in your older home, as opposed to the ‘soft ware’ – the curtains and sashes.

History of windows:

Historically, they began as small oval or square holes in the walls. Very early windows were shielded with hide or cloth stretched over the opening, and later people made wooden shutters. As time went by, various types of windows were invented that allowed light but not weather to pass into a building: mullioned glass windows, which joined multiple small pieces of glass with leading; paper windows; flattened pieces of translucent animal horn; and plates of thinly sliced marble. Unfortunately, (or maybe fortunately) we don’t stock windows from as far back as the flattened translucent animal horn days! Mullioned glass windows were the windows of choice among the European upper class, whereas paper windows were economical and widely used in ancient China and Japan. In England, glass became common in the windows of ordinary homes only in the early 17th century, whereas windows made up of panes of flattened animal horn were used as early as the 14th century in Northern Britain. Modern-style floor-to-ceiling windows became possible only after the industrial glass making process was perfected. Evidence of glass windows panes in Italy dates back nearly 3000 years – so we find the Italians ahead of their time in both window-making, and great-tasting food!

Modern windows are customarily large rectangles or squares with glass surfaces.

There are several types of windows:

Casement window: A window with a hinged sash that swings in or out like a door, comprising either a side-hung, top-hung, or occasionally bottom-hung sash or a combination of these types, sometimes with fixed panels on one or more sides of the sash. In the USA these are usually opened using a crank, but in Europe they tend to use projection friction stays and espagnolette locking. Formerly, plain hinges were used with a casement stay. The ‘handing’ applied to casement windows to determine direction of swing.

Double-hung sash window: The traditional style of window in the USA, and many other places that were formerly colonized by the UK, with two parts (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up and down inside the frame. The two parts are not necessarily the same size. Nowadays, most new double-hung sash windows use spring balances to support the sashes, but traditionally, counterweights held in boxes either side of the window were used. These are attached to the sashes using pulleys of either braided cord or (later) purpose-made chain. Double-hung sash windows were traditionally often fitted with shutters. Sash windows may be fitted with simplex hinges which allow the window to be locked into hinges on one side, while the rope on the other site is detached, allowing the window to be opened for cleaning, or to beat a hasty retreat!

Single-hung sash window: one sash is movable and the other fixed. This is the earlier form of sliding sash window, and is obviously also cheaper.

Horizontal Sliding sash window: has two or more sashes that overlap slightly but slide horizontally within the frame. In the UK, these are sometimes called Yorkshire sash windows, because of their traditional use in that county.

Bay window: A multipanel window, with at least three panels set at different angles to create a protrusion from the wall line.

Fixed window: A window that cannot be opened, whose function is limited to allowing light to enter.

The most popular designs of window accessories:

In our selection of window accessories, the window fasteners and closures prevail. They are of Victorian or Edwardian origin, made of brass, chrome or nickel and sometimes combined with ceramics. The Victorian style cast brass sash window fasteners were very popular in the mid- and late- 19th Century. They are great for dressing up a period style sash window. If you are looking for a later style, the Edwardian style cast brass fasteners were popular in early 20th Century. They can be used either on a right or left side of the window. They are gorgeous pieces for giving a period style look to your windows.

Interesting facts:

The word ‘window’ comes from Old Norse (a Germanic language spoken until about 1300). Its meaning is "Wind Eye"; opening to the air.

The world's largest single paned window is at Monterey Bay Aquarium, California (crafted by a Japanese company, the window is actually 4 panes seamlessly glued together through a proprietary process).