If you're leaning more towards a pitched roof, perhaps you could extend your glazing right up into the gable to maximize the light coming in. I've attached a couple of images of projects where we have done just that. The first was necessary due to it being a listed building so we suggested an additional tiled roof would be more in keeping than, for example, a flat roof with a roof lantern. The second was on a lovely Victorian terrace in Coggeshall and again, we suggested echoing the original architecture with a pitched roof and glazed gable. If you would prefer an orangery style extension, despite some previous comments it is definitely possible to have a space that is a nice even temperature all year round, doesn't collect lots of flies and doesn't leak. We have built these for 30 years. All of our roof lanterns are available with solar controlled glass and motorised vents, plus the combination of masonry and glass (as opposed to a traditional conservatory which is mostly glass) provides a a more consistent room temperature anyway. We offer a 10 year guarantee on our joinery, glass and paint coatings (parts and labour) - that's how confident we are that it won't leak. We also use Accoya wood in our products which is incredibly durable, stable, moisture resistant, fungus proof, inedible to insects and thus incredibly low maintenance. It's definitely worth googling Accoya if you're considering going for a structure that incorporates timber joinery.

Hi mandskita Usually a designer would look to the context of the barn to see what kind of style is appropriate to the setting based on historic facts or local environment. For example, what roof coverings are used in the local area on the barns in local properties. If these are slate and or reddish/brown clay then that becomes and appropriate place to start (apologies if that is what you have done, I just had to cover myself!) So if these two are the choices the clay tiles will create a lovely contrast to the black, although the slate would create a more sleek design and the blacks and greys would play off of each other nicely too. The profiles or clay tiles are more rounded and the profile of slates is more flat, so that will also change the profile and look of the roof, so that is something to consider. And some inspiration pics just to help you visualise the end result ;-) This looks softer and more rounded and lighter. This has stronger lines and is more powerful. I hope this gave you enough information to help you make an informed decision! Have a great day! Jo

Take it from me the pitch is very important. When we moved into our house, the previous people had put standard Velux windows in the kitchen extension which had a very shallow pitch roof, which resulted in constant leaking and water ingress, simply because the windows rely on the pitch to drain the water away. In the end, when we had the roof re-roofed we had to have upstands installed which put the windows at the correct angle.

After a delay, now in the middle of renovating the bungalow but I'm having second thoughts about the colour of the windows. Currently have slate grey tiles and white fascias. I was planning to go with white windows (although the fascias are RAL 9010 and the windows only available in RAL 9003, so slightly different whites!), but I really like painswick/agate grey RAL 7038 windows on other properties. I'd welcome any advice before making a decision! I'm also unsure about the render colour for the front of the house to go with RAL 9003 windows. The back of the house is brick.