Aluminium Windows - colours...help!

[DisparityCausesInstability]

We're replacing all the windows in our house with Aluminium frames - we can choose any colour. They can be the same colour inside and out or different. The outside will be dark grey but what about the inside? The interior will be very contempory - loads of white. New kitchen white handless with grey quartz and wide planked floor - I'm thinking the bifolds would look better grey inside and out but what about inside frames for the rest of the house?

White or dary grey?

White for the windows and the bi folds all one seamless colour I agree with you!I think white inside the doors would look 'messy' when they are open or part open.White inner frames will disappear into the white walls and look crisp and contemporary It sounds fab am v jealous.have been renovating mostly period houses for years and am desperate to do something 60s or 70s Good luck with it

Ooh, hi Disparity, I was just about to start my own thread saying the same thing, but found this on a search. I'd be interested to hear what you have decided?

We are just about to replace all our windows and doors with graphite grey aluminium but haven't decided on the inside.

We are having large patio doors at the back of the lounge, and we also have large glass panels across our hallway, which is quite a feature. We are thinking the frames would look sleeker, more architectural (if that is the word?) if they are dark grey inside and out.

However, we are restoring the interior with a kind of 1960s/mid-century feel (parquet floor, teak/walnut furniture... so not ultra-modern). I'm not sure if the graphite grey will complement that or not. Also whether we can have grey doors and white windows in the same room?

Don't know what to do still - at the moment I'm doing white inside and dark grey outside for the windows - in two minds about the bi-fold. Still browsing through interier design mags to see pics of other peoples houses, I change my mind on an almost daily basis.

We are going full on modern...the only nod to the past will be some retro- modern furniture.

Def going to sell our period house next year and buy a 70s bungalow

Noddy, we've always had Victorian houses before too, and this is such a huge change for us, but I love it!

Disparity, we've decided to go with graphite grey inside and out. I think it will look great contrasting with all the white paintwork, and hopefully look sleek and modern. (Also we realised it was 15% extra to have dual colour frames!)

We're close to placing the order now and just need to decide on the finer points. I never knew there was so much involved in choosing windows...

Do you know what kind of design you are going for? I wanted something like this.

Or, something even more clean and minimal, like this.

However the sales guy has advised us to have a top light (or fan light) on each window, as well as side casements. He said top lights can be left open more safely, eg in the kids' rooms, and would also provide more security, eg leaving the bathroom window open. So we'd be looking at a more everyday design: like this.

All the casements can be locked in an open position to provide ventilation, so I'm not sure how important (in terms of safety) it would be to have top lights.

This is definitely driving me mad at the moment!

Sorry, one more photo for inspiration!: here.

I want only casements - your first "I want" comes close, but I want all the windows to open, so you avoid windows that open looking smaller than windows that don't.

No top lights here - I don't like them - in fact I think I might strongly dislike them , they remind me of the bad stuff the 70's brought. Maybe call your local police station and ask about security, they can be very helpful.

My window price is the same regardless dual or same colour - my builder has the contract with the window company. Still haven't decided...too many decisions.

Ah glad you said that about top lights; I thought it was only me who disliked them...

I am starting to think along the lines of my second 'I want', here, having just one (or two) side opening casement(s) with a big picture window...

Where do you stand on trickle vents?

The decisions are hurting my brain...

Building Regs insist on trickle vents in every habitable room, I think the only room that we don't have to fit them is the hall. But even if they weren't tied up with building regs - I'd have gone for them anyway - I like the idea of the continual change of air. I know a building inspector who is almost obsessed with sick building syndrome caused by not enough air exchange happening due to limited ventilation.

Not sure if you are required to conform to building regs or not - maybe phone the council and ask for building control. Whatever you do - decide now not later as they charge quite a bit to retrofit them.

Top lights NO!!!!!!

:) Glad we all agree on top lights!

We don't have trickle vents at the moment, so I don't think we have to have them - and our salesman didn't sound too enthusiastic which put us in two minds. But it sounds like they'd be a good idea - especially as we'll be having cavity wall/ loft insulation soon. We also have a high-ish radon reading so need to ventilate as much as possible. (Not a problem with the current gappy windows...)

Right, at least that's two decisions made :)

Oh God, now I'm trying to choose obscure glass (for the bathroom / hallway / front door)...

I just want plain frosted glass, but why is it all so patterned and naff?

It should't be patterned and naff - sounds like your supplier is a bit old fashioned.

Can I revive this thread to ask more opinions on this exact same question? We are building a very modern extension to a 1930s semi and replacing all windows in the old house to match the extension in aluminium clad windows. We're decided on dark grey (almost black) for the exterior but can't decide on the interior. I've seen lots of photos of very modern houses with the grey/black frames on the inside but struggling to imagine it in our house as I've lived for so long in Victorian/period houses with white painted windows. But tempted by the black/grey inside! DH worried it will accentuate the windows too much and take away from views, plus look weird with window coverings. Any thoughts or experience??