Hi Wendan, we recently got double glazing installed to replace large sliding doors and windows. In some cases some noise is now more noticeable. I queried the installer and he said it happens a bit. The glass changes the type of noise that enters the house due to frequency. For example, I almost never hear our neighbours loud TV any more, but sometimes notice low pitch traffic noise from further away (less ambient noise to dull the hum). There is apparently specific double glazing for noise reduction, which wasn't something we considered when we were retrofitting, but possibly would've been good to know (two points in the house seem to be more affected by this, rather than the whole place). The other thing I'll mention is the frames. After lots of research we decided to get sliding units, essentially replacing like for like style. We had trouble trying to work out why casement style provided better thermal properties, other than being told the seal is better. The main difference now appears to be in the design/manufacture. Casements come as a complete unit, no gaps in the frame. Sliders come in two pieces with windows inserted into the frame in situ. This results in small air gaps between the frame and window due to the need for wiggle room. Annoying that we didn't find this out until after the event, seems like a bit of a flaw. Overall though, the glazing seems better than the almost 30yo bog standard stuff we previously had. Looking forward to summer with low-e glass and hopefully less heat entering the house.

Thanks for all your comments. I agree Retro and Genki and have done just that. He will come to me first with his design however I think like some of the other Houzzers this is a passion of mine that I wish I had have pursued as a career but unfortunately did not and am unsure whether I will go back to study now with young kids. I have worked with my building designer on 2 other projects and we nailed the layout of both. I enjoy reading everyone’s opinions and think that considering all options rather than the first presented is not a bad idea. We have had the master of our previous houses downstairs and my preference is to keep it that way although maybe being back up with the kids for the next 12months may change our mind but I doubt it. I definitely want knock down the current garage and laundry and ideally want an open plan kitchen/living dining with butlers pantry/laundry although it’s a little awkward as we don’t have the hallway to allow a transition point from traditional to modern. That’s why I think the transition will be as you walk through into the current dining room and I would love to be able to see through to the backyard from that front entry. Oklouise, I initially drew up nearly exactly your upstairs option but as dreamer mentioned we are mostly solid brick walls upstairs and my favourite spot upstairs is that front enclosed balcony. Unfortunately the front room upstairs doesn’t get any direct sunlight. I would consider losing the upstairs living as suggested as that downstairs living room could definitely be used for that purpose. The block is approx 14m wide by 39m long. The front yard is 9.2m to the porch and the current backyard is approx 15.5m long. Thanks again for your suggestions!

Thank you for the response, the house is in Lusaka, Zambia. I like colors in the range of desert earth or yellowish/brownish but not so sure of how that can work out on this building. Also i know exterior color can either ruin the building or enhance its beauty. Therefore, i am looking for the main color of the house but also for the window trims and pillars. I am open to suggestions.

I assume those are artists renditions via software ? Personally , I like what the designer has tried to do with the colours , but I don't think the particular blue and brown shades quite work . If the blue was more a steel blue it would be better IMO , while the brown may be better with a deep green tinge , or even go halfway between the main grey wall colour and the charcoal or black of the base -- a deep almost metallic grey . Even things like the white fences by the garage would be better in a metallic charcoal IMO , and at the other end of the house , there looks to be a beautiful wooden deck , I assume similarly varnished steps , then a plain grey concrete one upstairs ? I'd do the lot in timber , and even though you can't see both ends of the house at the same time , probably the garage door the same , OR maybe even instead of the existing blue render , do that area in a beautifully varnished natural dark vertical timber ( almost 70's ) style -- that would work IMO !