Hi Folks. The windows are in and I love them. I chose black slim profile aluminium chamfered profile. I've been delaying posting a picture because, as you can see the front drive isn't done yet so the house isn't set off very well in its surroundings. To be clear, the windows we replaced were already Everest replacement windows from the late 70's early 80's I'd guess. The only original glazing we had being external Crittal doors that were ffffreezing, so they have gone and the Crittal stained glass windows by the front door and chimney breast, which we've kept, though they need painting black to match the new windows. We haven't replaced all the other non-original windows, but will aim to do so over the years, when the cash flow improves. I managed to persuade my husband to at least agree to all the first floor front elevation windows being replaced, so now they are all the same when you view the house from the street. The windows of a brick built sun room, front right, that you can partly see, are probably going to be removed, to make that area part of the garden rather than the house. One thing I would say is that we are having a bit of trouble with condensation on the outside of the new windows, which was unexpected and made me quite miserable at first. It turns out we're a bit unlucky, it's a known, but not extremely common, issue with such good thermal insulation in modern double glazing and it depends on the aspect of your house and the dew point. Our front elevation is west and exposed, so cold in the morning resulting in condensation and our view being foggy until the air temperature rises. I've attached a poor photo to show a mild version of what I mean, it can be a lot denser and we have far reaching views from the upstairs windows, so disappointing. But I've got over it. The main plus point is that the rooms with new replacement windows are so much warmer than the ones which still have the old ill fitting wood and aluminium windows. I'm also really pleased that we chose the windows to be black on the inside too. A neighbour up the road has black on the outside, white on the inside and I think it looks really odd when the windows are open. Finally, all the houses on our road are completely different, so there is no uniting feature that ties them together, our windows couldn't clash with the windows in the other houses as they are all individuals, though I suppose you could say they are all clashing, but as we are fortunate enough to be in a big plot with the houses set well apart I don't get that sense. Thanks for looking and all the advice. It was really helpful.

'Intense White' from Benjamin Moore's Timeless Neutral range would work wonderfully with your white kitchen and Revere Pewter in the Hall. Just be sure to paint a sample on to the wall in the kitchen, and look at the colour in daylight and night light. The bluish tinge glass will change the colour of the paint slightly.

Hi Mark, Really pleased they worked out for you. I’m looking to install and big width and smaller set at the back of my house. Worried may be draughty, any concerns on that? Also that there is nothing to secure them back with so wind can be a problem! Many thanks Jenny

Hi Hannah, Thank you. Yes, the more we look into this the more we realise that the scratches must have been made during fitting or transporting. We aren't very happy about it. We have also been looking at other aluminium doors for wear and have noticed no scratches even with high use, as per your showroom ones. I have also spoken to the manufacturer who agrees. It's such a shame we have had this problem. Strangely the somehow the screw ended up in the key when I found it on our patio (where the fitter had dropped it), I don't know why I didn't take it out but I put that in the window after I found the scratches. I'm not sure we have the time to look into our options now and we want the frame to match up to the loft window. The fitter tried to cover a scratch I had seen when he was there, with a paint pen but it just looks like a kid has drawn on it. Out of interested, why have you suggested anthracite? I am still inclined to go with white for a more classic look (and to stop the room closing in with the door frames?) but I'm worried about fading to yellow. Unless I can find a way to prevent this but is there a practical reason why anthracite is better? thank you