COLONIAL PERIOD: Architectural Detail: 12-paned double-hung windows

Colonial-Architectural-12pane-double-hung-window

History

12-paned double hung windows (also known as 12-paned sash windows) are a very characteristic architectural detail of the Colonial period in Australia.

Materials

Timber, glass

Elements and Principles

Shape is the Element, and Pattern is the Principle of this design. The 12 rectangular glass panes of the window are always arranged in the regular pattern of four rows (two rows in each in window panel) of three panes in each row. This produces the effect of regularity and strength.

Manufactured by

They have been manufactured by a variety of tradesmen across Australia

Used by Designers

In the past, 12-paned double hung windows remained popular features of homes across Australia for many decades during and after the Colonial period.

Nowadays 12-paned double hung windows are not very popular due to their difficult maintenance requirements. They are mainly used in reconstruction houses that aim at restoring the original Colonial ambiance of a place.

12-paned double hung windows were replaced by 2-paned double hung windows, and these are used in homes until now, although their popularity is decreasing, again due to relatively difficult maintenance.