We have decided to install timber rather than uPVC windows. Although timber windows are more expensive than uPVC, timber is a more traditional choice in a property of this type. I also suspect it maybe that the perception that uPVC windows are associated with less expensive properties. Strange, since from a purely practical point of view, uPVC is probably a better choice (it is certainly a more cost-effective option).
We then had to deliberate over the colour.
You have to take both the internal and external colour into consideration – it is all very well getting the windows to work from the outside, but they must also work on the inside. It is possible to get windows that are two different colours, but it has a significant impact on the cost. We have opted for one of the “heritage” colours that seems to be used a lot in the area for properties of this sort. Crown paints Box Tree is a good example. We have also decided to paint the internal walls all one colour and the nearest colour we could find was Crown Paints Taupe.
These two colours need to go well with the sandblasted oak as this will be exposed on many of the beams upstairs. When the sand blasters were here, we had them sand blast a section of oak beam. The picture below shows our two chosen colours on top of a sand blasted oak beam.
Two colour swatches on a piece of sandblasted oak beam.