Windows

Windows: History, Repair and Conservation has been long listed for the RIBA International Book Awards 2008 in both the Sir Robert McAlpine International Book Award for Construction and the Sir Nikolaus Pevsner International Book Award for Architecture categories.

Runner up: The Lee Nelson Book Award 2008

	UK and Rest of World
	US and Canada

The first and only reference volume covering the subject of windows in depth - no other book offers this wealth of practical detail
Highly accessible, written for both the professional and interested layperson
Written by a team of 15 experts - surveyors, structural engineers, craftsmen and conservators describing their own approaches to specific materials, problems and designs
Over 400 illustrations in colour and black and white, from a wide range of sources, including historic drawings, paintings, pattern books, textbooks, manufacturers' catalogues and contemporary and archive photographs
An invaluable asset for everyone involved with windows on a daily basis, combining the knowledge of leading historians and experts in the field of window conservation

The window is a familiar yet surprisingly complex feature, with a rich history that has not, up until now, been explored in any great depth. This encyclopaedic work is both a fascinating exploration of the history and development of the window, and a practical hands-on guide to their care and preservation.

Part 1 covers the history of the window including the development in glass technology. It also provides an illustrated glossary of window types.

Part 2 reviews the changes in policy and legislation and discusses structural issues, decay mechanisms and the current stringent performance standards and how they affect historic windows.

Part 3 focuses on the materials used in the construction of windows and the craft of leaded glazing. It details the appropriate techniques for repair and conservation.

Windows is fully illustrated in both colour and mono to include over 400 high quality illustrations.

Read the Introductory chapter by Elizabeth Hirst

Contents:

Introduction Elizabeth Hirst
Part One: History and Development v The development of the window Hentie Louw v History of window fittings Treve Rosoman v History and development of glass David Martlew v Examples for identification Charles Brooking
Part Two: Policy v Principles and policy Bob Kindred v Surveying Michael Tutton and Robert Thorniley-Walker v Structural implications Robert Thorniley-Walker v Window performance and sustainability Mike Parrett
Part Three: Materials, Repair and Conservation v Timber Alan Lamb v Diagnosis and treatment of timber decay Jagjit Singh v Metal Eleni Makri and Rupert Harris v Stone Graham Abrey v Leaded lights and stained glass Ruth Cooke v Paints and coatings Karen Morrissey v Further reading v Index.

Read the Introductory chapter by Elizabeth Hirst

The editors:

Michael Tutton DipCons, PgDip(Ind.Archaeol), PgDip(BldgCons), IHBC, MaPS is a clerk of works and historic buildings consultant. He has extensive experience in site supervision and advice, and site and contract management on historic buildings throughout the south east and in the Midlands. He is a trustee of the SPAB and the Construction History Society.

Elizabeth Hirst ACR, FRSA is an architectural conservator involved in a broad range of projects including consultancy, practical and preventive conservation. In 1986 she founded Hirst Conservation, a multi-disciplined organization specializing in fine art and historic building conservation, working in the UK and overseas.

From the reviews:

The story is fascinating and well told. The history contributions are consistently readable... Conservation professionals should have a copy on their office shelves as an important source of reference and at home too... The story of the British window is much too interesting to keep to ourselves.

Context

It will appeal to a number of people - among them historians, historic building advisors, conservation officers and craftspeople. It will be invaluable to many local authorities that deal with applications for the replacement of original windows. Overall, the book is of extremely high quality. The reproduction quality of the many illustrations is excellent, with clear descriptions and explanatory notes. There are also full references at the end of each chapter enabling the student, or interested reader, to find out more information.

Cornerstone

It should be regarded as the window 'bible' to the practitioner, conservation officer, curator, contractor or amateur reader and is well recommended to EASA members. Ecclesiastical Architects and Surveyors Association

This long awaited volume contains all the practitioner, conservation officer, curator, contractor or amateur will ever need to know about windows; from their history and development, to their identification, repair specification, use of materials and fittings, and even the current legislation governing them. It is packed with information provided by leading fenestration experts, and when combined with well selected photographs and illustrations, it is surely essential reading.

Rory Cullen, Head of Buildings, the National Trust

This is a book that needed to be written. Cast your mind back a bit, before windows were made of ghastly plastic or extruded aluminium, before glass became wavy by being heat-treated and strips of lead were stuck on to the surface; in short, before the soul had been ripped out of them; when they were works of art, when they were an enthusiastic celebration of design, whether borrowed from an earlier age or pushing at the boundaries of available technology. Real windows.

It's all there: how windows developed through the ages, the material used in their manufacture, the dangers to which they are prone and the conservation measures necessary when they are attacked by rot and worm.

Ecclesiastical and Heritage World

Each of the fifteen authors contributing to the book provides a fluent and accessible discourse on their topic, and where appropriate, cross-references are made to work of co-contributors. Taken as a whole, the reader is provided with material that can be read through in a logical sequence to grasp the full compass of the subject, or dipped into for specific topics and advice as desired. Of particular merit are the illustrations, of which there are over 400, in both colour and black and white. To aid the reader in identifying architectural styles and technical details, the authors have carefully selected images from a wide range of sources, including historic drawings, paintings, pattern books, textbooks, and manufacturers’ catalogues together with some excellent contemporary and archive photographs. These are complemented by an equally impressive set of illustrations that accompany the chapters dealing with materials, defects and repair.

Whilst no book can contain all the answers on this subject, this one goes a long way to doing just that. However, it should be pointed out that its coverage concentrates more on domestic windows from the Renaissance onwards than on early periods or other building types. Nevertheless, it should be considered as an essential reference by all those responsible for the care of historic buildings. Where specific information is not provided to address a particular query, extensive referencing and advice on further reading will provide reliable signposts.

The importance of windows is neatly summed up the English writer and caricaturist Sir Max Beerbohm in Fenistralia: ‘There is much virtue in a window. It is to a human being as a frame is to a painting, as a proscenium to a play, as “form” to literature. It strongly defines its content.’

We must recognize and value this virtue and so endeavour to conserve traditional windows, whenever possible. The publication of this book will do much to inform the conservation process, and in so doing it will increase the probability of achieving successful outcomes.

Professor Peter Swallow, Journal of Architectural Conservation

Donhead Publishing 2010