How the Romans made windows and doors

Windows

Very little evidence about doors and windows survives from excavations in London because the upper parts of buildings were more likely to be lost, destroyed or dismantled for reuse. But there is just enough left to give archaeologists an idea of how they were made and used.

Roman windows have 4 main features:

• Window frames were wooden with sockets in the horizontal beams to take upright bars.

• Iron security grilles were sometimes fitted into the windows. They had star-shaped spacers that allowed light to come through.

• Window glass was also used. In the 1st century AD it was cast and shaped into rectangles.

• Wooden shutters were made from planked wood. They were either hinged or sliding and were removable.

Above: (left) window shutters and (right) window frame, as reconstructed in the High Street Londinium exhibition.

Doors

• External doors were planed and rebated with nailed horizontal bars across them to give support and security.

• 'Stable doors' were also used. These were cut in half and hinged separately so that one half could be open while the other remained closed.

• Internal doors were panelled.

Both external and internal doors were made of oak and were very heavy. They had iron hinges and door fittings. Many iron door locks and their keys survive from these excavations.

Above: (left) near-complete Roman door found on the Poultry dig and (right) artist's reconstruction of the door within its frame.

Evidence from the Poultry dig

Archaeologists found remains of several window features from the Poultry dig. A wooden window sill from a large window was found, as well as star-shaped spacers from grilles. Fragments of window glass were also discovered.

The most complete Roman door yet from London was found in the Poultry dig. It had been reused later in the period to parch an area of flooring. The remains of wooden thresholds indicate that doors were between 95-105mm thick. The merchant’s shop had a doorway 1.05m wide.

Reconstructing High Street Londinium

• The bakery has wooden framed windows with removable sliding shutters. Some of the shutters have been removed and rest against the wall, while others are still closed. It has planked external stable doors and panelled internal doors.

• The craftworker's house has large window frames with one glazed window. There is an external stable door.

• The merchant's shop has planked external doors and removable wooden shutters. Some shutters are stacked up ready to be put back on the windows for the night. There is also a window set high up under the eaves with a star grille window.

The following topics can also be seen in this section:

• Walls
• Roofs
• Roads and Drainage

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