Windows and Shades

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 391, 27 June 1928, Page 6

Windows and Shades

IMPORTANCE OF SUNSHINE Casements and Screenings HOW dark the room is,” you say, but you never stop to think that the murky gloom is probably the result of your own lack of foresight in designing the house. Fortunately architects are now realising that windows have other functions than to serve as holes in the wall through which to throw rubbish.

11l the old days a man’s wealth was judged by the number of windows in his house, since for more than 250 years English law imposed a tax on windows. To-day wealth is reckoned by the number of bathrooms, and windows are an index to our knowledge of hygiene. Indeed, we have become

so enthusiastic about them in this country that many of us, during business hours at least, live practically in glass houses. A well-known brand of food bases its principal advertising appeal on the circumstance that the factory where it is made has a thousand windows. Windows in old castles were like maids of all work, expected to do a great variety of tilings and doing none of them well. They were designed to let in a modicum of sunlight and wind and let out a maximum of smoke and of arrows against the enemy. When political warfare became more subtle and the castle gave way to the chateau, windows expanded and began to put on airs. The architect is likely to thiuk of windows in terms of the outside of the building, of which they are one of the most important features; the decorator looks at them from the inside, to whose beauty and harmony they are equally vital. The well designed window satisfies the requirements of both. From the inside point of view there Bhould be an harmonious relationship between the size and shape of the window, its location in the room, and the treatment of the adjoining wall surfaces. In choosing the shape of our windows we have been unimaginative and slavish to tradition. Too often we stick stupidly to the rectangular form, forgetting the suit at the time of the loss must first be considered, and to give an instance it would be generous to say that a ten-guinea suit after twelve months’ wear is worth seven guineas or eight pounds. The value of the salvage is not difficult to arrive at, as it may be said that this is the amount that can be agreed upon at the tradesman’s entrance between the lady of the house and an itinerant wardrobe dealer, both of whom, however, are usually keen bargainers. It must be pointed out that a claimant in such circumstances is not entitled to the cost of a new suit, unless it is a recent purchase, as he would then be placed in a better position than he was at the time the accident occurred, which would be contrary to public policy. Claims are often forthcoming for damage to carpets due to coals exploding and leaping out of the fireplace. These are frequently very expensive to insurance companies, as they are without doubt admissible under the policies, but a great deal depends upon the extent of the damage. A small hole can possibly be repaired by reweaving the damaged portion. A larger hole, which does not necessarily destroy the value of the carpet completely, can be hidden under a hearthrug, and the insurance company pays accordingly. Very frequently when such measures are impossible a total loss must be paid, but again depreciation must be taken into account. One may mention in dealing with fire insurance that the policy does not necessarily cover all “burning.” A claim was lodged recently with an insurance company for a “burnt” carpet, and upon their requesting and receiving a completed claim form it came to light that the burning was due to spilling acid from wireless-set accumulators. This, of course, is not “fire” in any shape or form, and it is. therefore, quite out of the question that an insurance company should be called upon to pay for the damage caused.

how graceful may be the window with an arched top or a group of three windows with the centre one arched. It should also be remembered that the window is in addition a picture frame, and the picture which it hangs on the wall is surely the most vital and possibly the most beautiful in the room. It is a little sample of the

living world; to cover it with immovable curtains or otherwise obstruct it is to give your place the flavour of a prison. The sturdy wooden shutters, which did such service in their day keeping out wind and rain, and the neighbours’ curiosity, must have felt a dumb resentment when they saw their places taken by effete shades, which every year grow fancier. Originally made of cotton or cambric, in solid colours, with no aim hut to protect the family secrets, they now appear in striped and figured glazed chintz, or decorated with scenes printed from wood blocks or w'ith stencilled borders. Even the shade pull has become “arty.” Especially in windy regions, where awnings suffer. Venetian blinds, which take the place of both shade and awning, are popular. They are not appropriate, of course, for formal rooms, but very desirable on sleeping porches, as they are almost perfectly weatherproof. Until 10 years or so ago sunlight in the house was fondly believed to be sunlight, whether it came in directly or through a pane of glass. Now science has discovered, to our chagrin, that sunlight filtered through ordinary glass is quite denatured, since it has lost the ultra violet rays, which cause sunburn, and help to prevent and cure rickets, tuberculosis, and similar diseases.