Just How Long Have Windows Been Around?

September 20, 2021 5:19 pm Published by Leave your thoughts

Windows have been around in various forms since people started building structures to live in. Today’s modern window designs have come a long way in both technology and aesthetic since the windows that were used in ancient times, but the general idea of having windows to the outside has existed for thousands of years.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the interesting glass window history facts you may not have heard about before.

A history of glass windows

The history of glass windows began around 100 A.D. in ancient Rome. Previous civilizations, such as ancient China, Japan and Korea, tended to use paper windows, but the Romans were the first people known to use glass. The term window comes from Old Norse, from vindr (wind) and auga (eye).

Glass windows did not start to become widespread in England until the early 17th century—before that, animal horn was the primary material used in window development. Frames were made out of timber at that time, and the windows were generally too small for glass to be sensible.

In the Georgian era, windows with six glass panes in each sash started to become common, but the glass in that era usually had air bubbles that formed ripples and other distortions. Many historic buildings that still stand feature windows with glass of that type, which makes their architecture particularly distinctive.

A notable advancement in the history of glass windows occurred in 1848, when Henry Bessemer patented a system of automated glass manufacturing. Bessemer had already developed a float glass in 1843 which would become the forerunner of float glass processes made in the 20th century that allowed for floor-to-ceiling windows.

The first patent for double-glazed windows was filed in the United States in the 1930s. Before their invention, there would frequently be separate window sashes placed into the frames in the winter (known as storm windows), which would help improve energy efficiency and insulation during the cold months. During the summer, storm windows would be replaced by shutters or flyscreens.

Double-glazed windows (as well as triple-glazed windows) remain popular today, though framing materials have changed and are primarily PVC-U (polyvinyl chloride unplasticized), timber, aluminum and timber-aluminum composites.

Today’s windows are noted for their significant advances in insulation and energy efficiency. High-efficiency windows can help homeowners save significant amounts of money on their energy bills every month due to their insulating properties. These windows are designed to be airtight, with gas between windowpanes to act as insulation.

At Santa Fe Glass & Mirror, we like to think we are making our own contributions to the history of glass windows every day we’re on the job. We focus on providing the best quality available for residential and commercial glass solutions, and we pride ourselves on our commitment to outstanding customer service.

Want to know more about the services we offer our clients? We encourage you to contact our team of glass professionals today with any questions you have about our glass and mirror work.

Categorised in:

This post was written by Writer

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *