History of UK Dwellings

Question 1

Name the historic periods between 1845-2017

Answer 1

• Tudor Period - 1485 - 1603
• Stuart Period - 1603 - 1714
• Georgian and Regency Period - 1714 - 1837
• Victorian Period - 1837 - 1901
• Edwardian Period - 1901 - 1910
• Modern Era - 1910 onwards

Question 2

What traits were carried on from the Medieval period to Tudor period?

Answer 2

• As the Tudor Period followed on from the Medieval Period, most ordinary homes were half timbered.
• As with Medieval Houses they had wooden frames and the spaces between were filled with wattle and daub
• Tudor houses are known for their ‘black-and-white’ effect

Question 3

What are is the most distinctive sign for a Tudor house?

Answer 3

• Tudor houses are known for their ‘black-and-white, half-timbered’ style

Question 4

What did the Tudor houses represent compared to the people?

Answer 4

• Tudor houses were built according to the
wealth of the owners
• There were Tudor houses for the rich which were the palaces and mansions and Tudor houses for the middle classes and the poor

Question 5

Name the features of a typical Tudor house?

Answer 5

• Vertical and diagonal blackened
timbers
• Thatched roofs – (earlier Tudor period)
• Overhanging first floors called galleries
• Some of the lower stories were built
in stone
• Arches were smaller and flattened
compared to the pointed gothic
arches
• Pillared porches
• Dormer windows and leaded windows
with small window panes
• High, spiralled chimneys

Question 6

What materials were used during the Tudor period?

Answer 6

• Bricks were a new innovation and expensive and often only used for the mansions and palaces of the rich Tudors
• Initially bricks were only used for the
construction of chimneys
• A regulation was passed in 1467 to prevent fires from spreading demanded that either bricks or stone were used to build chimneys
• The raw ingredients of brick are sand, clay and water. Before the 1830s these three ingredients were mixed either by hand or by animals driving a heavy roller around a mixing pit
• Tudor houses were framed with massive upright, vertical timbers which were usually made of oak and occasionally elm
• These vertical timbers were often supported by diagonal timbers
• The timbers were blackened and used to create a skeleton which was filled in with brick, plaster or
most commonly wattle and daub
• Tudor houses of the poor therefore consisted of wattle walls which were daubed with mortar and then whitewash was applied

Question 7

Explain and Describe the Tudor windows and how did it represent wealth?

Answer 7

• The windows of Tudor houses of the poor were usually covered by wooden shutters.
• Glass was expensive to make so it was only installed in the houses, mansions and palaces of the rich.
• The small pieces of glass for the windows were joined together with lead. The leaded window panes were
constructed in a criss-cross, or ‘lattice’, pattern.

Question 8

What was the design of Tudor windows?

Answer 8

• The design was usually a casement window. Casement windows are attached to a hinge which opens outwards

Question 9

How and when was glass produced?

Answer 9

• Before the mid 19th century, glassblowers gathered molten glass on the end of a blowpipe, and blew it into a balloon shape
• They transferred the red-hot balloon to a long, solid rod
• Then, while heating the balloon, a glassworker twirled the rod rapidly until the balloon flattened, and
spun out into a disk
• They then cut the disk rim into panes. The glass was thicker toward the outer rim edge where the spinning rod flung it

Question 10

What was the most common historical glazing?

Answer 10

• The most common and well know of these historical glasses are the cylinder and crown glasses found on properties between 1678 and 1913

Question 11

What is float glass and who produced it?

Answer 11

• Before float glass was introduced in 1959 by Pilkington’s, various methods and techniques were employed to produce glass for glazing windows

Question 12

What glazing was used after the cylinder and crown glasses?

Answer 12

• Between 1678 and 1913 where it was predominantly replaced by polished plate glass until the modern float glass was launched within the UK

Question 13

How was floating glass manufactured?

Answer 13

• Original crown and cylinder glasses were manufactured by early glass making processes of the time and in many cases it is possible to estimate the date of manufacture by looking at imperfections within
the glass

Question 14

What are crown glasses and how were they manufactured?

Answer 14

• Before the mid 19th century, glassblowers gathered molten glass on the end of a blowpipe, and
blew it into a balloon shape.
• They transferred the red-hot balloon to a long, solid rod
• Then, while heating the balloon, a glassworker twirled the rod rapidly until the balloon flattened, and
spun out into a disk
• They then cut the disk rim into panes. The glass was thick

Question 15

What were the other types of windows of Tudor windows?

Answer 15

• The overhanging windows in the upper storeys of the houses were an important feature especially in the Tudor towns where space was at a premium
• The building of such overhangs enabled additional floor and living space which was not subject to ground rent imposed during the Tudor period
• This led to the houses in cities, such as London, where land was expensive to be built in close proximity to each other forming streets where the overhang windows almost met

• This style resulted in extremely dark streets
where little sunlight was allowed through

Question 16

When was the Regency period?

Answer 16

The last few years of the reign of George III and the reigns of George IV and William IV are known as the
Regency period. It was a natural progression and retained many of the Georgian features including the uniformity of design

Question 17

Why windows used less in the Georgian period?

Answer 17

• During Georgian times, there was a heavy tax on windows, as England needed money for war
• The number of windows was indicative of a sign wealth - poor people.
• Often only had one window per floor. Some people bricked up windows to avoid the tax
• Georgian houses are characterised by symmetry and uniformity, but with little decoration

Question 18

What would Georgian houses look like?

Answer 18

• The Georgian style was to build rows and rows of identical terraced properties
• However, the Georgian property style varied around the country and throughout the Georgian period as new influences from Europe seeped into the property
designs

Question 19

What are the typical characteristics of Georgian houses?

Answer 19

• Pillars in the front of the house
• Square symmetrical shape
• Tiled hipped roofs (A roof which slopes upward from all the sides of a building)
• The roof was often hidden behind a parapet, or low wall built around the edge of the roof
• Sash windows (windows which slide up and down). The windows nearer the roof are smaller than the rest
• Paired chimneys
• Fan light above the door

Question 20

What did the internal walls look like inside Georgian houses?

Answer 20

• Panelled walls often only reached the height of a dado rail, and the plaster above would be decorated with wallpaper or pale paint
• Mouldings were also extremely popular in the Georgian era
• The level of detail was only limited by the wealth of the owners

Question 21

What materials were used for the flooring surface

Answer 21

• Floors largely comprised of bare floorboards, predominately pine and fir, compared to oak, covered
in areas by ornamental rugs
•The patterns on such coverings were often influenced by the Orient
• The more opulent properties often had stone or marble floors

Question 22

What did the exterior side of Georgian houses look like?

Answer 22

• Red bricks were replaced by yellow bricks later on during the Georgian period and, although stucco fascias were the norm, stone was the favoured choice
• The roof was hidden behind a parapet, and the lower level was usually stuccofaced
• Window shutters were extremely popular, and many front doors had a filigree fanlight with a canopy overhanging
• The window openings were likely to be double-hung sash windows and chimneys would be found on both sides of the home. The doors often had a fanlight

Question 23

What are the most commons defect of Georgian and Regency house?

Answer 23

• Rotting of oak tile pegs
• Roof junction and valley gutter
• Bay Window Roof Problems 
rotting lintel adjacent to a bay window roof
• Wall Problems 
damage and deterioration from the
weather, such as frost attack.
• Foundation problems 
Little or no foundations were used
•Internal Finishes 
separation between the plaster and laths

Question 24

Why are Roof junction and valley gutters common defects of a Georgian house?

Answer 24

Georgian properties tend to have been extended and altered and where this occurs there can be problems in the form of valley gutters

Question 25

What are the remedial works for deteriorated tile pegs ?

Answer 25

Nails are used instead of timber pegs because they're cheaper.

Question 26

Why would the lintels deteriorate in the Georgian period and what are the effects of deteriorated lintels?

Answer 26

These can be caused by the leaking of the roof and can cause severe structural problems

Question 27

Why were Georgian walls commonly damaged?

Answer 27

• Often a soft red brick was used. Soft red bricks are not as hard as a modern brick and are susceptible to damage and deterioration from the weather, such as frost attack, particularly if pointed in a cement mortar • At low level, many walls deteriorate due to rain hitting hard surfaces and bouncing back up and literally washing away the mortar

Question 28

How do little or no foundations effect Georgian houses?

Answer 28

Walls were often constructed directly off the ground with no foundation. The ground would be deemed as firm strata and sometimes shallow rubble may have been used. * This can become a problem if there are, for example, leaking services or trees in close proximity or the property sits on clay soil. * Properties with inadequate foundation are likely to sink into the ground however one side may sink lower than the other side.

Question 29

What was cause of the defect with plaster?

Answer 29

• Lime lath and plaster walls and ceiling were common with ornate cornices ``` • It is common for the plaster to have separated from the laths and therefore be vulnerable to failure, especially where heating has been added to a property that may have been vacant for some time ```

Question 30

What was the lifestyle of the 'poor' Victorians?

Answer 30

• Most poor houses only had one or two rooms downstairs and one or two upstairs • Families would crowd into these rooms, with several in each room and some living in the cellars • Poorer families, if they owned a bath at all, would position it in front of the kitchen. This was the warmest place in the house and very close to hot water • The whole family would wash themselves one after the other, topping up with more water but, probably not emptying the bath until everyone had finished! • These houses had no running water. Each house would share an outside water pump

Question 31

What features did the expensive Victorian houses have?

Answer 31

• Rich Victorians favoured villas (not the same as Roman villas), whilst the emerging middle classes of Victorian England lived in superior terraces with gardens back and front and a room for servants in the attic • Victorian houses were built in a time when not many people had cars. In fact it was only towards the end of the Victorian period that cars were even invented • Victorian houses were therefore built without garages as there was no need for a place to store a car • Victorian houses also have chimneys because they often had a fireplace in most rooms. The fire was the only way to keep warm. Today, houses are built without chimneys and have central heating

Question 32

What are the characteristics of a Victorian house?

Answer 32

``` • Bay Windows incorporating sheet glass • Iron Railings • Flemish Brick Bonding • Patterns in the brickwork made from coloured bricks • Stained glass in doorways and windows • Roofs made of Slate • No Garage • Sash Windows • Outhouse Toilet • Tiled Entrance Hall –(Encaustic Tiles) • Candles continued to be an important source of lighting. Paraffin lamps were introduced in the 1860s, and gas lighting became increasingly common as the century went on ```

Question 33

What were cheap Victorian houses like ?

Answer 33

Back to back houses • Single wall with door and windows • 3 shared party walls • Dark, damp, poorly ventilated

Question 34

Why were the cheap Victorian houses poorly lit and had poor ventiliation?

Answer 34

``` Usually of low quality (sometimes with only two rooms, one on each floor) and high density, they were built for working class people and because three of the four walls of the house were shared with other buildings and therefore contained no doors or windows, back-to-back houses were notoriously ill-lit and poorly ventilated and sanitation was of a poor standard ```

Question 35

What are the typical defects of a Victorian house?

Answer 35

Roof (corrosion of nails and cast iron gutters, inadequate tiles) Walls (lack of restraint at each floor,deterioration of large timber bressumer beams,spalling of bricks)

Question 36

What are the general problems with Victorian houses?

Answer 36

• Due to the nature of Construction the Victorian House falls significantlyshort of modern standards and the Building Surveyor should be aware of the following: • Solid walls will be thermally inefficient • There is likely to be insufficient insulation in the roof space • Damp proof courses are likely to be damaged, poorly installed or not present at all. A close inspection should be carried out • As with Georgian houses walls were often constructed directly off the ground with little or no foundation • Many Victorian Houses were constructed with Basements. Inspection of the basement can highlight a whole host of defects. •The Building Surveyor should particularly look for timber decay, cracking, damp and condensation, vermin, flooding etc

Question 37

What are the typical external features of an Edwardian house?

Answer 37

• Never has an era been so fond of external decoration on its everyday architecture • Gable ends are half timbered (with black faux beams and white render), plain red brickwork is adorned with flourishes such as painted wooden balconies and verandas • Porches have fancy tiling or terracotta details • Windows might be mullioned and diamond-paned or timber framed with art nouveau stained glass details

Question 38

What are the typical internal features of an Edwardian house?

Answer 38

• Key Edwardian features indoors are generous hallways often with a carpet or encaustic tiles, and wide staircase • Parquet flooring is frequently used and, on the walls, mouldings such as dado rails and plate rails, picture rails and architraves Internally, fixtures can include quirky arts & crafts-style fitted furniture such as 'cosy corners': panelled alcoves including bookshelves and cushioned benches beside the fireplace

Question 39

What is the difference between Victorian and Edwardian dwellings?

Answer 39

* As household servants dwindled in number and conveniences such as electricity became widespread, family homes were built around a more modern lifestyle. * Instead of tall terraces, with poky basements, Edwardian builders favoured more compact , semi-detached two-storey houses * Houses tended to have fewer but larger, lighter rooms, including a purpose - built bathroom

Question 40

Why were Edwardian houses similar to Victorian houses?

Answer 40

• The Edwardian period only lasted a relatively short period of time, so the characteristics of Edwardian houses are very similar to those of Victorian houses

Question 41

Describe a basic modern timber frame construction (open panel system)

Answer 41

Structural Timber

Question 42

What was introduced in the modern era?

Answer 42

* Cavity Walls - Introduced in the 1920’s * Concrete - Concrete as we know it today has only been used in house foundations for just over 100 years (since 1910) * Damp Proof Courses - First used at the end of the Victorian period when materials such as tar and sand were used. Modern DPC’s are synthetic, and are usually placed 150mm above ground level * Ceilings - Lath and plaster was used up until the Second World War, then replaced with traditional plaster and skim and also plasterboard

Question 43

How have ceilings developed?

Answer 43

Lath and plaster was used up until the Second World War, then replaced with traditional plaster and skim and also plasterboard

Question 44

What did Victorians use as a DPC?

Answer 44

First used at the end of the Victorian period when materials such as tar and sand were used

Question 45

How much has the construction industry and methods changed?

Answer 45

* Although construction materials have developed since 1910 * The construction and design of ‘modern houses’ has remained relatively unchanged in the last 100 years * Regulations Regulations and Government Agenda’s have resulted in high quality housing construction * Reduction in greenhouses gases, in particular carbon dioxide (Doc L) * Demand for more energy efficient houses has resulted in the introduction of cavity walls, higher levels of insulation, efficient ventilation and modern methods of construction such as timber frame and Structurally Insulated Panels

Question 46

In what period was running water into houses introduced and how?

Answer 46

• The Victorians introduced running water to houses, prior to that water was collected in rainwater butts, or obtained from local streams or wells. With the new beam engine the Victorians were able to pump water from reservoirs directly into houses through cast iron pipes. The pressure was not as we know it today, and that is why most bathrooms were situated downstairs

Question 47

When was electrical supply available to the public?

Answer 47

• The first public supplies were available in the early 1880’s • The spread of this new energy was slow, and at the outbreak of the First World War the majority of houses did not have a supply • Early wiring used rubber to insulate the live wires, and an outer casing of lead to act as the earth. • The early two pin sockets were changed to three pin earthed types in the 30’s, but they did not have a fuse. • 13 amp sockets have been in use since the 1950’s, and PVC cable has been in extensive use since the mid 70’s

Question 48

In which period was a rudimentary form of drainage formed?

Answer 48

* Mains drainage in terms of the history of the house is a very new luxury * The Georgians had a rudimentary form of drainage, * At the end of the nineteenth century it was an automatic requirement to provide a comprehensive system of mains drainage for all new houses in urban areas

Question 49

How has drainage developed?

Answer 49

* The early drains were combined, that is to say foul and rainwater used the same pipework * Only in the last 40 years have the two systems been separated * Most early pipework was made from clay * In the 60’s plastic underground foul and rainwater downpipes were introduced.