The earliest recorded use of the English word window was in the early 13th century. The Old English version of the word “window” translates to eye-hole or eye-door and owes its origins to Old Norse vindauga, a combination of wind and eye, translating to wind eye. Windows are an essential part of the home’s architecture and have an enormous impact on a home’s curb appeal. The following is a brief history of window design.
Wooden Windows and Frames
The history of house windows goes back to the Stone Age. The first windows were made from wood and glass and were installed in early homes by artisans. The artisans made windows by cutting out a rectangular piece of glass using a diamond-tipped saw and assembling it into a frame with wooden bars. They were heavy and were first used for security to block enemies’ views and hide weapons. By the Middle Ages, however, window design developed into an essential architectural feature in its own right.
Decorative Architectural Feature
In medieval times, church windows had a decorative and practical function. They served to allow light and air into the church and as a focus for worshipers’ attention.
Small Designs
The first known windows were not different from those found in churches. They comprised glass or occasionally stone, but they were too small for comfort and privacy inside your home. Even if you had no problems with heat, cold, or bugs, you still couldn’t see clearly out of these tiny little holes.
Window Glass
The Romans used windows to let in light and ventilation as a defense. Their unique window design allowed them to keep the glass in place without using nails or glue. It was called glazing, which means “to cover with glass.” The Romans used glazing for many purposes: to provide better ventilation inside buildings during long hot summers, to let in light during the daytime and at night, and to protect people from enemies’ arrows or spears.
Leaded Glass
The first use of lead crystal occurred during the Middle Ages. Lead crystal was cheaper and much easier to work with than other materials such as quartz because of its malleable nature and high melting point.
Recently, a new window design provides a unique look to a home. Contact us for the latest window designs for various purposes, including ventilation, light, or privacy.