From the earliest times, humans have placed openings in the walls of their homes to let in light and air. The names of these openings have ranged from eyehole or eye door to more exotic sounding names like fenestra, which described a window with glass in it. Whatever it was called, it is clear that people wanted them even at the expense of comfort sometimes. You see early on windows were many times openings with nothing in them, a hole in the architecture if you will that not only let in light and air but heat and bugs as well. Not to mention cold in the wintertime. The progression to modern windows went something like this.
Early people used varieties of materials to cover their windows to keep undesirable elements out. Some of the first materials were animal hides that were harvested from animals killed for food. Cloth would be the next material used to cover windows followed by wood. You may think that shutters were invented to protect glass but that is not the case.
Shutters were in wide use long before the invention of glass. After this development, various types of glass were used. In medieval Europe, the well to do would often have windows of mullioned glass, which are windows composed of small bits of glass held together by leading. The less wealthy would have windows made from paper, a common practice in the Far East. There were also windows made from very thin pans of marble and even flattened horn! It was not until the industrial revolution that the technology was developed to make modern floor to ceiling windows.
Many types of windows were made possible by the mass production of glass. The traditional style of window in influenced by the United Kingdom is the double hung sash. This window consists of two panes, (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up or down within the frame. This type of window is still in use today though the balancing method has been refined a bit. Older double hung sash windows were balanced with a counterweights and pulleys, today they are mostly spring function. Though this is the most common type of window, it is far from the only one. Bay windows, picture windows, and skylights are all examples of how far we have come in the invention and use of the window. Once windows were fully integrated into most homes, they became an item to decorate.
No matter what style is in your home you more than likely have or want coverings over them, that is unless you live hundreds of miles from a neighbor. Just like the window itself, coverings have also come a long way since their inception. There are drapes, curtains, and blinds to choose from just to name a few. A favorite is the Roman Shade. They come in so many colors and textures and really give a room an elegant feel. - 15359
Early people used varieties of materials to cover their windows to keep undesirable elements out. Some of the first materials were animal hides that were harvested from animals killed for food. Cloth would be the next material used to cover windows followed by wood. You may think that shutters were invented to protect glass but that is not the case.
Shutters were in wide use long before the invention of glass. After this development, various types of glass were used. In medieval Europe, the well to do would often have windows of mullioned glass, which are windows composed of small bits of glass held together by leading. The less wealthy would have windows made from paper, a common practice in the Far East. There were also windows made from very thin pans of marble and even flattened horn! It was not until the industrial revolution that the technology was developed to make modern floor to ceiling windows.
Many types of windows were made possible by the mass production of glass. The traditional style of window in influenced by the United Kingdom is the double hung sash. This window consists of two panes, (sashes) that overlap slightly and slide up or down within the frame. This type of window is still in use today though the balancing method has been refined a bit. Older double hung sash windows were balanced with a counterweights and pulleys, today they are mostly spring function. Though this is the most common type of window, it is far from the only one. Bay windows, picture windows, and skylights are all examples of how far we have come in the invention and use of the window. Once windows were fully integrated into most homes, they became an item to decorate.
No matter what style is in your home you more than likely have or want coverings over them, that is unless you live hundreds of miles from a neighbor. Just like the window itself, coverings have also come a long way since their inception. There are drapes, curtains, and blinds to choose from just to name a few. A favorite is the Roman Shade. They come in so many colors and textures and really give a room an elegant feel. - 15359
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If you are interested in putting up Roman Shades, make sure you buy them from a specialist in Roman Shades.
