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The Origins Of The Sash Window, An Evergreen Product
Posted on December 8th, 2011 No commentsThe origins of the sash window are not easy to fathom. There are a variety of theories but no absolute proof for any of them. In the late 1600′s, an English inventor, Robert Hooke used them in Ham House and a painting by Vermeer called ‘The Milkmaid’ shows a sash frame behind the girl. It is believed that they might have come from France, via Holland to Britain around this time but the British certainly made them their own.
The name ‘Yorkshire light’ refers to windows with glazed panels that opened vertically or horizontally. Opening was manual originally but a system was developed whereby the weight of the glass panes was balanced by a lead sash weight. This was connected to the window by a sash cord running inside the frame over a pulley placed at the top.
In the late 1600′s, the famous architect Sir Christopher Wrens used these windows for Whitehall Palace. They were also used for Kensington and Hampton Court Palace. Wrens’ reputation and the royal patronage gave wooden sash windows a cachet that soon saw them used right across the British empire. Until the early 1900′s, the windows were used almost exclusively in all new constructions both private and public. Whether open or closed they do not detract from the aesthetics of a building unlike other windows.
By Georgian times, they were everywhere. An additional feature was added which allowed the windows to open at both the top and bottom. Called a double hung sash, these windows allowed rising hot air to leave through the top and sucked in colder air from the bottom. In a rainy European climate, less rain and more ventilation was possible.
The Victorians, were obsessed with decorating their homes with carvings, leaded lights, lattices and complicated mouldings. Placed in a facade as a group, each bay was framed by carved stone pillars. It also became common to enhancing the perspective of a building by making windows on the ground floor longer than those on the upper floors.
The First World War brought a different ethos and method to the production of goods and expensive labour intensive handicrafts were the losers. It was simply too expensive to continue to create intricate craft when producing for the masses.
It must be agreed that without the sash window, defects and all, the most interesting urban areas of older European cities would be bleak and characterless.
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Tips For How To Start A Window Cleaning Business That Will Start Your Future
Posted on January 10th, 2010 No commentsIf you are asking yourself how to start a window cleaning business you will need to ask yourself some serious questions before you venture off with your bucket and squeegee. Owning your own small business as a young person can teach your responsibility and how to deal with people effectively. It also looks good on a resume and a college application.
How much time do you want to spend? You can decide how much time you have to devote to your new business. Can you do it five days a week or are you going to do it on the weekends. If you are a young person in school you will need to be realistic in your expectations of time to devote to your business, or if you are an adult who has another job or family obligations.
Consider your location and the weather. If you live where it rains a lot can you clean windows inside? If you live where you have to drive to your clients can you get there dependably? These are serious questions you need to ask yourself.
You will also need to have a price chart for your services. Don’t just guess but do research and ask other companies what they charge or look at their price list. You don’t have to tell them you are starting a business, just act as a customer when you call. Offer incentives for first time customers to win their business.
Are you good with people? You will be working alone or have a team but your people skills to gain business will be the key to building a successful business. You will be meeting with clients and giving estimates. You will also be dealing with clients should complaints arise. When you deal with people it is not always fair as there are many different personalities. You will need to know how to keep a customer happy and when to part ways if it doesn’t work out with dignity and not burn any bridges.
If you are ready to expand ask your current customers to recommend you. Ask them if they can be references for your hard work. Make flyers and give special offers for a first time service or recommendation. Make yourself some business cards and have them readily available.
These are just a few good things to consider when starting any business, especially a window cleaning one. Remember to have a dedicated phone line that you can have business calls sent to with a professional recording that lets people know you mean business.
For those that need to learn more about window cleaners, click the websites we have in this resource body. Also, before hiring residential window cleaners, you should learn more and you can through this links provided.
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