We're building too this year and our exterior colours are light & dark grey... couldn't afford the timber cladding :( ... and we are having black alum windows, so I say go for black! :) Black windows suit most facades, from the contemporary to the more traditional... Plus what's your alternative, the alum silver? That would look even more blend against the grey exterior colours... whereas black will make the windows a stand out feature of the house... If you're concerned the facade may look a bit drab and if you're game enough, then be bold with a pop of colour in the front entry door... Internally, the black windows (against white/light walls?) will frame the outdoors looking almost like a picture... And no, you are not stuck with a monochrome look inside... you can easily introduce timber (floors, furniture, etc) to create warmth, or any colour you want as black goes with everything... Good luck :)

I prefer white as if you get sick of grey cladding in10 years you might be able to paint it another colour. Both are nice it is a matter of taste.

I considered Dieskau, Stepney and Timeless Grey with our render. The Dieskau throws a slight pink and the Stepney is a little beige. It may be worthwhile getting sample pots and painting a few areas around your home to see what it looks like in various light. Alternatively paint a large piece of cardboard in each colour and move it around the house. We decided on Timeless Grey. I think Surfmist is too light. Good luck! It's a very difficult decision. Took us months :)

What ever colour you like is what you should go with - I have a black roof and a white house and white down pipes and guttering - the plastic type. All I notice is how dirty is looks when the winter has set in and been and gone and you are left with green mildew on the guttering and down pipes. If I have a choice and it suited my house I would go for a dark colour - however if you are going to tin you will want colour steel as the sun will just bake black or dark paint. Also look at the life time warranty of both the plastic and steel to determine which may last longer and be cheaper to fix longer term.