7 Interesting Facts You Didn’t Know About House Windows in Southlake
Windows have become such a normal occurrence in our lives that we don’t even think about the history that they have. Whether they are house windows in Southlake or windows in a corporate office, they have a history attached to their usage.
In fact, once you start to delve into the history of windows, you will see that they are quite interesting. The following are some of the most interesting facts you probably didn’t know about house windows in Southlake and all across the globe.
1. The Word Has Norse Roots
Windows got their name from Old Norse language. The word window is derived from the Norse words “vindr”meaning “wind”and “aqua” meaning “eye” or “to see.” When properly translated, the word window literally means “eye-hole” in the Norse language.
Considering that windows were a new and unique innovation at the time and some were really small circles meant to improve visibility, it makes sense. Now, the house windows in Southlake that you see are definitely more than just small circles but the word has stuck around and is still commonly used.
2. They Weren’t Always Made of Glass
The Romans were also the first people who started using glass for windows. It’s hard to imagine a time when house windows in Southlake weren’t made of glass it was an expensive commodity. Only the rich could afford to have glass windows and the poor or middle class had to make do with what they could. This is why it wasn’t uncommon to see windows that were made from cloth, leather or even paper that was stretched across the open frame.
While it might not have been an inconvenience during the summer, it’s hard to imagine how unpleasant the winters were for them. Additionally, the Romans only used glass as a decorative item or to showcase their wealth. It should be noted that they did perfect the art of building glass windows with frames but it wasn’t until centuries later that glass windows became the norm.
3. A Prized Commodity
As previously discussed, the Romans would use windows as a means of showing off their wealth since glass was very expensive. This trend continued for centuries and even the English adopted this practice. Due to the high cost of glass windows, they often made sure to only have glass windows in the most important rooms in their house.
Interestingly, house windows in Southlake were considered a prized commodity and treated as such. When the people expected to be away for home for weeks or even months on end, they often had the glass windows removed and stored until they returned.
4. Windows Used to Have a Tax
Nowadays, it’s hard to see a house or a building which doesn’t have a building. In fact, no one would willingly board up perfectly good house windows in Southlake. On the other hand, this became the norm in England, in 1696 during the reign of King William III when a window tax was introduced. According to this new law, homes with 10 windows or less were exempt from the tax but others, had to pay an additional tax on each extra window.
This was a hard tax to evade since windows are the most visible part of a home. Eventually, people got so tired of it that they started boarding up the windows of their house. House construction also changed to make sure that the homes had fewer windows to disqualify them from the tax. Soon after, reports of illnesses caused by insufficient ventilation and poor lighting increased. By 1851, the window tax was successfully repealed.
5. Windows in the Thousands
The average number for house windows in Southlake comes up to 8 windows per home. On the other hand, some buildings across the globe have windows that go above this average. The following are the most interesting ones:
- The White House – 147 windows.
- The Buckingham Palace – 760 windows.
- The Empire State Building – 6,500 windows – The tallest building in Manhattan.
- The Burj Khalifa – 34,348 windows – The tallest building in the world that is located in Dubai.
With windows that number in the thousands, it is both impressive and daunting to assume the amount of upkeep and maintenance that they must require on an annual basis.
6. Some Windows are Famous
You might not think so but some windows are actually famous because of the stories attached to them. The stained glass windows of cathedrals and churches such as the ones in the Chartres Cathedral or the Notre Dame in France are famed for their beauty, there are a few which have the most unique stories attached to them, such as the following:
- The Winchester House– Owned by the heiress of the Winchester Rifle, Sarah Winchester – This house is unique because it has around 10,000 windows. As mentioned previously, the average number for house windows in Southlake comes to 8 windows per home. The house also has multiple rooms which have 13 windows in them, especially since 13 was the heiress’s favorite number. One window also costs around $1,500.
- The Pope’s Window– In the Apostolic Palace – The Pope holds Sunday mass every week and people travel from all corners of the globe just to stand under this window.
- The Texas School Book Depository– This window is famous because it was the one from which President John F. Kennedy was shot.
There are definitely more famous windows but these stand out the most out of the entire bunch.
7. They Contribute to Transference of Heat
You might think that your house windows in Southlake are perfect for letting in the sun but they also come with a downside. Most windows contribute to heat loss and can make a difference by as much as 25% to 50%.
This translates to higher energy bills, an overworked HVAC system and an uncomfortable indoor air environment. Luckily, if you have energy efficient windows, you won’t face this problem and will actually cut down on your bills by as much as 42%.
Get the Best with Energy Window Solutions
If you’re interested in getting energy efficient house windows in Southlake, get in touch with Energy Window Solutions. From Green Core and Green Star approved windows to financial plans without interest and more, they have everything you need to get energy efficient windows and start saving money.