We recently double-glazed our entire house. Our north side is mostly windows, floor-to-ceiling, for the passive heating (we live exposed at 1300m in the Snowy Mountains). The windows cost $30+ (we had some converted to double-glazed sliding doors). This winter the temperature outside might not often be getting above 5C and obviously drops big at night, but with our storage heaters the temperature inside is at least 20C. When we switch the fan off the heaters overnight, the temperature might drop to 17C at the far, coldest end (whereas last year the coldest inside we got to was 6C). Double-glazing isn't the only insulation need (good wall and roof is important), but for our needs it has made this a comfortable, cosy winter house. We'll have to wait and see what summer is like though.

Have you costed the other options- the differential may not be as much as you think. I guess it depends on the look you want and the service of the areas. The quality of the slab may affect what options are viable. I would ask some flooring specialists to come to you with samples and ideas. One possible option - paint the floor and get some mats / rugs to define the spaces. This may affect the ability to polish at a later date. There is a coating that can be used to create effects -not sure of costs etc- the website is a bit average and the effects look a bit busy but worth a look.http://icoat.co.nz/ All the best

Well now after reading all these posts, I have a dilemma. We would like to maximize the practicality of the deep and soft closing drawers. Corner drawers, the under sink u-shaped drawers etc. Thirty five years ago (yep that's right 35 yrs) when our budget did not allow us to buy new, we bought a dismantled u-shaped show-room demonstration timber kitchen. For years it was blonde pine. Solid pine benchtops, re-sanded and stained a couple of times. Then my husband painted all the solid timber doors with antique white USA marine paint which has worn well. New satin knobs (that have not worn as well) Now it's becoming a little 'shabby chic'. We thought of a complete reno. But we have no space to enlarge on the 3x3 metres. and new 'plastic' kitchens somehow seem less durable than our existing old one. Sink, stove and fridge in the recommended triangle floorplan. So what to do? Our pantry is in the corner with shelves that items at the back of are inaccessible. The microwave is the perfect shoulder level. The cabinets allow me to display favourite tins, crockery and vintage scales. Being a split level house I need the broom cupboard and ironing board stored close at hand.

If it’s possible to move the toilet I would put it in the corner where the shower is now, large vanity single or double in the place of the toilet and double shower instead of existing vanity across the whole wall. I hope you can picture it. Some people here might be able to do the design I am not that smart.