I couldn't tick one or the other of the boxes – I think the choice has to be made contingent on so many variables. In fact we have painted timber, double-glazed bifolds (with a fabulous retractable pleated fly-screen) at the end of the dining room leading out onto a terrace and a painted timber, double-glazed slider (with a timber-framed sliding fly-screen) on the other side of the kitchen (but on the same axis) opening onto a raised timber deck. Each works really well in terms of function and aesthetics but they would not be interchangeable as the different locations determined which was more suitable – but they have been made by the same highly skilled window craftsman and have given us nothing but pleasure. And on a hot, steamy evening with both open we have the most wonderful cross ventilation.

I agree with the previous comment re the colour of the curtains and lining properly. Stick to something slightly lighter than the wall colour in a nice cotton or linen blend adding some fullness so when they are open they just clear the glass and frame the doors. I think a heavier rod either in a colour to match the walls or a metallic to compliment the bed frame would work well and I'd lower it slightly. You have plenty of space between the top of the doors and the ceiling so I'd mount the rod approximately half way to give more balance. Good luck.

Many thanks for your comments folks. I was wondering if there was something out there I didn't know about... cellular blinds I haven't tried but I know they are expensive. Blockout curtains I know work well with pelmets and when extended past the windows at the side, and that doesn't work out cheaply either. I imagine we will need a combination of these. We will probably put a pergola out to the east side of the house with a deciduous vine, so not worried too much about summer. Will use canvas external blinds if it makes the house too hot. I like sun in the morning to get me going, and avoid it in the afternoon and on summer evenings.

HI Robyn. We put the microcement over our ceramic tiles. They did have to grind them back a bit as they weren't level unfortunately. The microcement is only 2-3mm thick and can be applied over a number of different surfaces, but if you take up your floor boards the level probably would go down a lot. Where are you located?