Although we have very deep eaves and lovely large decks, we don't actually have proper shade at our new house so that we can enjoy the outdoor living. Trying to resolve this. Thinking about a big shade sail further away from house where we have a big table and chairs, and perhaps decorative metal panels attached to either the roof or wall cladding on the west deck. The sun is harshest during afternoons to sunset and so far we cannot use this deck for '5 o'clock somewhere' drinks.

Nope I haven't, but let us know how it goes as I have looked into Cosmofin as well!

have the downstairs roof made to look as flat as possible with the slope towards the sides so gutters is out of sight and an extra deep barge board and fascia made with the same cladding as on the upstairs railing

Great job Della and oklouise. Blends perfectly with the original design and the view from the top is to die for. Hope you will get nice cooling breezes there in summer too. I confess, I've never head of a moon gate :):) but it is a great idea.