Windows made smaller between the 1940's and the 80's (Bed Stuy) - Why?

I ordered old tax pics of my house which showed a pic from the late 40’s and another from 1980. I believe it was from the DOB, nice prints, too, highly recommended. In any case, I noticed that the windows of the parlor floor of my house and also my neighbors’, in the 40’s, were longer and lower. As in, sometime in the 40 years intervening, they bricked up the lower part of the tall parlor floor windows, and put in differently-sized windows.

Why?

I’m guessing it was some regulation, maybe people were falling out (?!)

Just historically curious here.

soundhoner

in General Discussion 8 years and 9 months ago

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crat | 8 years and 8 months ago

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I have been told by longtime residents of Boerum Hill, where the characteristic tall “Boerum Hill windows” were frequently shortened, that it happened during the Depression and World War II, when fuel was scarce and expensive.

AndrewPorter | 8 years and 8 months ago

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The bad old days, when stoops were considered ugly and useless, old, large windows the same. Besides, many real estate people thought all these buildings would be torn down for new highrises eventually, so who would care?

smeyer418 | 8 years and 8 months ago

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No regs. No landmarks. No buildings dept permit either

anotherpsarchitect | 8 years and 8 months ago

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Stock window sizes, and radiators that can run below the window.

BobMarvin | 8 years and 9 months ago

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Probably done because smaller windows were cheaper, but, in the years when brownstones were considered old-fashioned and ugly, some people did truly awful things to make them look more “modern” and “attractive”.

bliz | 8 years and 9 months ago

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It likely happened because it’s easier and cheaper to order stock window sizes and frame your opening to the new size instead of ordering custom windows (and doors). The demo is a lot easier too since all you have to do is remove the window and nail up new framing inside the old. It’s pretty common to see. I had a door that had been reduced 3 times over the life of the house.

dougb | 8 years and 9 months ago

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How about during the energy crisis of the 70s people started swapping out original windows with energy efficient replacement windows, and often did so on the cheap. Meaning that rather than buy more expensive oversize replacement windows for your parlor floor, they just went with a more standard size. That’s my guess. Could also have been for security though, if the lower windows made break-ins easier.