Thanks for all the detailed comments! A few clarifications from me.. We have done the BASIX and so, really, the window size, shape, location is determined. That wasn't clear of me, sorry, I guess I meant we can change the dimensions (within reason) to suit if a "standard size" is cheaper than the size that we have currently, which was rather arbitrary. But this way of thinking might be totally irrelevant! All the windows/doors penetrations are blocked out when they pour the concrete panels, so while we could infill or something if the penetration is too big, we are really trying to get it right now so there are no breaks in the concrete. I think we also did the BASIX with double glazing and Al frames originally (will look it up) but as we are off grid that kind of blew everything else out of the water. We have done all the shadow diagrams and spent a lot of time with placement and eaves. I think that part is OK. I am pretty set on double glazing and thermally broken frames (where aluminium). Thanks Paul for your comment of 10-15%. Our preliminary quote from out builder is certainly not that high (more like 5%) and I was having trouble seeing how we could get everything for that price. I am sure it is possible, and while we are very conscious not to over-capitalise, I don't think the most basic product is a good idea. oklouise, I share your concerns about bifolds! I don't really like them but my partner really wants them and I'm happy to give on that one. I have one quote from CedarWest which seems reasonable, but then it's the same again for an integrated screen!! Will consider other ways of doing that. So! More details: See attached the overall floor plan (floor plan attached twice, sorry!) and views. Great 270deg views (all but west as sort of dug into a hill to avoid the wind). There are 2 pods connected by an open walkway. Ignore the round window - point of contention and may change. The main pod has two large east-facing windows. A thought was gas-lift windows with the large bottom sill to serve as extra seating when open. In the E view, the verandah will not have that many posts so the view is not actually obstructed. Any ideas are greatly appreciated! I think I am just struggling with all the choice, and need to start pining down some constrains that I can work within! Thank you!!

Ruth, Supply cost will vary greatly depending the following factors: - Window/Door sizes, if not standard then costs may increase dramatically. - Type of double glazed unit, thickness of the glass, if it has any coating, gas infilled. - Type of windows/doors such as casement/sliding and so on. - Thickness of the aluminium. - Hardware (hinges, runners, handles & locks). - If the site has a wind rating requirement as part of the building code. - If you are in a rural area then this could have a bearing on cost. - The scale of your project; the larger the supply the lower the sqm cost. - The supplier. I don't know much about uPVC, but would expect this to be cheaper than a thermally broken aluminium window. The price for a particular unit may vary considerably, whereby a small 1200 x 500 mm window will be more per sqm than a 3200 x 2400 sliding door. So difficult to provide anything other than a very rough estimate. Suggest you budget at $350/sqm for supply only. If you have not done so already, then take a look at the Australian Window Association website and presuming your desire for a thermally efficient house, review products under the 'WERS' (Window Energy Rating Scheme) section. Recommended that you use a supplier that has had their product WERS accredited. Hope the above get you started. Good luck.

Put a rug under your work area and hang some heavy curtains would be cheaper. But all 3 better

please clarify the size of the windows and sliding doors.. your post says window is 160 x 66? and what are you aiming to achieve...we need to see floor plans and photos of the existing space to understand the problem better...will the curtain over the window be full length to match the sliding doors is the sliding door and window next to each other, separated by a section of wall or on different walls and do you want the curtains to block light or views or? and what sort of windows are they.. double hung, awning, sliding?? if there is a spearte window with as eparte patterned curtain and you want to increase black out property and keep easy access to ethe window i would widen the track and curtain as much as possible to make to make it wider than the window and add a separate lining curtain that can be hung off the same hooks as the patterned curtains