Cost is not necessarily a big issue as some would expect. The cost's may not be that much different, many say it's more but forget to say by how much....... Some 'standard' but exceptional quality aluminium window and door systems are way more expensive than timber. Some other aluminium systems are quite poor in every aspect, apart from the glazing itself. Not really comparing apples with apples as the quality varies considerably and is quite complicated with so many manufacturers all offering various products at various thermal performance levels. Even some well known brands can be quite poor performing..... requiring double glazing where a comparably priced product but better quality only needs single..... Buyer beware! Window systems are becoming more of a priority during design than ever before. I'd shop around and get costings first rather than giving them boot just yet in particular if you really love them. Maintenance is really just painting (every 5 years?) or oiling the timber. Just keeping everything cleaned goes a long way to lowering the workload. Also being brick, that has reduced your workload again allowing some extra time to look after and admire the timber which you'll be looking at everyday when inside or out.

I know this is an old post but just in case anyone is still looking for Sherwin Williams Sea Salt paint...... When Wattyle were still owned by Sherwin Williams, a couple of years ago now??, I asked the Head Office of Wattyl if they could help me get some Sea Salt in Australia. I'm in Sydney and they advised I needed to find one of their stores with a Hydrochroma machine(not all of them have one) to have Sea Salt made up due to the type of tint used in the paint. They also provided the tint mix. I went to Wattyl in Brookvale and they made me up 4 litres of Sea Salt paint. It's a great colour but looks pretty bland in the tin. I don't know whether the Wattyl white base changes how it looks either. Anyway, anyone wanting Sea Salt can have it made up at the Brookvale store because they have the name and tint mix in their computer. Now they aren't owned by Sherwin Williams I don't know if they can access any other of their colours as they don't have access to their database anymore.

Oh! Sorry I misunderstood your post. I think it depends on what type of planting you will have along your fence line. I assume it will be a Colorbond fence? I wouldn't introduce Shale grey. Of those two I'd prob stick with Surfmist but then I think greenery looks FABULOUS against Monument fencing. The whole back of my house is Surfmist acrylic render and we have chosen Monument fencing and garden retainer walls/seating around the perimeter of our garden as it provides a background of depth against greenery. I know you don't like Monument though. Houzz does give you a variety of opinions and does make you think outside the square. Good luck with your choice!

Hi siriuskey. Not sure how to place the furniture yet. Still trying to work it out.. I am selling my dining table and chairs. My new chairs just arrived today. I bought some hooks to put my mirror up.I am going to order those prints shortly. Also trying to find a round dining table I like. Getting there slowly : Thanks for asking. Thank you Julie. Very kind of you. :) Thank you legendaryflame :)