After more than 15 years, Safestyle is leading the energy saving double glazing revolution, with the latest “Energy Saving Recommended” window and glass technologies. While others have diversified, we continue to focus and specialise in our field of expertise, windows and doors, honing and improving our products, and spreading the word about the benefits of energy efficient replacement windows throughout the UK.

But if we look much further back in history, what was it like before Safestyle? What kind of windows did Henry VIII have? What influenced the development of glass making, and what are the different ways windows can decay? The answers to these and a whole host of other questions can now be found in one comprehensive book – so if you would like to know more about the history of windows, we think we’ve found the book for you!

“Windows: History, Repair and Conservation” edited by Michael Tutton and Elizabeth Hirst is a book that has been listed for the Royal Institute of British Architects RIBA International Book Awards 2008 in two categories, and we can see why. This is the first and only reference of its kind to cover the subject of windows in great depth, boasting that no other book offers its wealth of practical detail. With over 400 illustrations from a wide range of sources, including contemporary and archive photos, historic drawings, paintings, pattern books, manufacturer’s catalogues and textbooks, this is indeed a comprehensive tome.

Rory Cullen, Head of Buildings at the National Trust, has described this book as “essential reading”, saying, “This long awaited volume contains all the practitioner, conservation officer, curator, contractor or amateur will ever need to know about windows… Packed with information provided by leading fenestration experts.”

The Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings (SPAB) magazine, Cornerstone, recently described it as a “book of extremely high quality… There are also references at the end of each chapter enabling the student, or interested reader, to find out more information.”

Divided into three parts, part one “History and Development” deals with the evolution of the window, its aesthetic and technical influences, and gives a guide to furniture, glass and glassmaking. Part two “Policy” focuses on legislation and the current stringent performance standards, while part three “Materials, Repair and Conservation” covers the different ways in which windows decay, with advice and solutions from experts.

“Windows: History, Repair and Conservation” (ISBN 978-1873394854) is published by renowned building conservation publisher Donhead and can be bought from them directly online, as well as various bookshops, including RIBA and Amazon.