If you are considering using aluminium windows then ensure they are thermally-improved or thermally-broken frames, standard aluminium windows conduct a huge amount of heat into and out of your building, decreasing comfort and increasing running costs. Timber windows and thermally-broken aluminium windows are similar in terms of thermal performance. Well painted timber windows should be maintenance free for 10-15 years, yes they will require more effort over time than aluminium but it is not a weekly event. This is still a major factor for many people in making this choice. Accoya timber (have a Google) is relatively new but does appear to allow a painted finish to last even longer. Double glazing, yes it costs more but not twice as much. If you buy good quality frames why would you not also buy good quality glass (and vice versa). It can be relatively easy to replace the single glazing in your existing frames with double glazing although this depends on the frames themselves. These are probably the largest areas of glass in your home, if you use single glazing you will lose more than 50% of your heat through them (depending the level of insulation in the remainder of the building, possibly more) hence choosing the right glass is incredibly important. Building comfort is a product of many many factors, each decision contributes to the whole. Be mindful of 'death by a thousand cuts'. I hope this helps a little.

Personally, I'd paint it white....it could be difficult to get the frame to match the windows if they are different woods, and it looks like your vanity is wood too?? (hard to tell from the little bit that's showing in the pic) So you could end up with 3 different colour woods in close proximity to each other, so I'd play it safe and paint it white. Just my opinion tho:)

I am planning an update for the large kitchen/dining/family area and new paint and floorcoverings throughout my late 1980's house. Looking for advice please on which white to paint my walls and doors to work to best advantage with: - doeskin (mustardy yellowish ) colour aluminium windows/sliding doors (painting window frames is beyond my budget) - jarrah (redddish brown) wood frames to main room doors in living area (thinking of changing these from stained to shiny wood finish) - a few special (handmade by hubby) jarrah furniture pieces to mix in with new styling. -woodgrained pattern vinyl tiles or bamboo flooring - new kitchen - probably simple white kitchen handleless cupboards (something that doesn't date too much) and a light speckled stone benchtop (room has low natural light) Was thinking of pale walls not to compete with yellow of windows or dark door frames and using splashes of greens in plants and accessories, gold and limited black, But maybe this is all wrong. Help please! What do you think? Some paint colours that may be possiblities among others are: Dulux: Natural White, Antique White USA. White Duck 1/8th, British Paints: White Beam Taubmans: Milk Cloud, Cradle White.

Yeah , if you look at that pic , and go right to the top ( the very first pic you posted a few days ago ) you can see the difference , for not much extra $$$ . Even compared to the rendered pic , I know which I prefer , but everyone is different . The 3rd column may be a hassle ( opening car doors onto it etc ) -- I'd try and do just 2 , have the second one at the 'front' ( same distance forward as the front of the pergoda ) and maybe a bit to the left , but then that may obscure the front door , although I reckon that is going to be 2 1/2 to 3 metres back . Personally , I don't think its a problem , and would still look balanced , but some people probably wouldn't want that . And just 1 other thing -- the very first pic you posted , the upstairs colour looks warmer and yellower -- has it been painted , or was that a sunset ? Personally , I like that colour better , and would carry it down to the render ( I don't think it would look 'Spanish' ) and it would make the stonework look warmer too . Plus everyone does grey these days -- apart from me hahaha . . . . . .