Hi meegantas, we have used a product called mill-wood, plastic style deck, a better product than mod wood that scratches quite easily. We have had it down over a year now, still looks marvellous, we hose it down or sweep it, furniture movement has not seemed to damage the product, lots of shades to choose from. The builder recommended it to us, I had never heard of it. He personally did not want to use the mod wood brand. The millwood is used at the London zoo apparently....it is made in England .. Just after we laid ours our city council used same product and colour on beach board walk..I will post a pic Pic 1. Just laid. Pic 2 & 3, as it is now. Pic 4 on front verandah...we sort of fell in love with it

Hi all, we have spent winter up north and now on the never ending task of updating our home. Flooring still not changed at this point waiting on tradesmen for ensuite and kitchen update. I have attached photos of the lounge and family/kitchen. Would like some help re colour/fabric for a window seat on the bay window. I did take away all curtains and blinds have been installed. Kitchen cupboards are a salmon colour and the cabinets can still be used with new doors and side panels replaced. I have always been a lover of white kitchens but not sure of colour for splaceback/tiles/bench. One minute I have made up my mind to have wood on all floors except lounge and bedrooms then someone says what is wrong with your tiles it's a waste of money and a lot of work! I am not sure that a white kitchen would go with the current tiles . Any advise would be more than welcome. Sandra (loving Houzz)

Hi. I agree painting the posts & blocks (if you need to keep them for structural support) white. Another idea if you are handy is to build a timber rail and balustrade (painted white?) in place of the lattice. The lattice does provide some shade lower down, but maybe you want a different look. Your bricks are a good colour, and I like your Acapulco chairs and the macrame pot hanger. I think you could run with those colours (along with the white paint idea) and pull off a Mexican theme in this space.

Hi again, thanks everyone for your input. I have been to a well known window/door manufacturer today which makes aluminium, timber and alu/timber composite to compare all options. It was a local company also so they were able to advise based on knowledge of our climate. The composite was higher in price but was also too contemporary in design, the aluminium was also too contemporary in design and not all options suitable for double-glazed glass, so we have returned to the idea of the solid timber but have taken all the advice on board and are opting for a pair of hinged french doors with sidelights in size to match and fanlights above so we can still retain the overall height and look but the actual doors will be closer to standard 2100mm height. Hopefully this will also eliminate any difficulty with opening them which we would probably have found had we had a bi-fold system or 2.7m door height. FYI the salesperson I spoke with also advised that there is a product available (sold in our local area from Inspirations Paint company) which when applied to the timber doors/windows gives 7 year protection from rot and fading due to rain and UV. He had used this himself on his own timber doors which were also exposed fully to the weather and highly recommended it - so I will post what this treatment is when I have more information on it. Thanks again everyone who helped out with their advice