Black Windows and Colours

A long time ago we decided we had wanted black windows.  And it's almost like we're deciding the rest of the house colours with that in mind.  Ah well we have to start somewhere right?

Last weekend we went out to the PGH display centre in Schofields to look at bricks.  (The Austral one is very close just on Belmore Road but none of the bricks are that appealing to us).

We settled on Gravel

And we're thinking of getting Cadman (although I also liked Balmain) Sandstock bricks for an additional ~$1500 in the courtyard:

The roof we chose (as we like Black but didn't want to go full black for heat reasons) is Colorbond Ironstone, fascia is Paperbark (used Colorbond Visualiser)

This morning after looking at Houzz for "black windows" and finding out the Stegbar Siteline / Composite doors didn't come in stacking format decided to change our minds and go with black (probably Custom Black) aluminium windows with colonial bars so it looks something like the below photos.  I can't find a good Stegbar example so just taking one from Houzz.  

Modern Home Office by Walnut Creek Furniture & Accessories YLiving.com

Mediterranean Patio by Houston Home Builders Allan Edwards

And a pic from the Stegbar brochure

We think it'll add something instantly to the house and come somewhat to the 'rustic' feel we want in the house.  Coupled with some nice floorboards in an oak/walnut type colour we think it will make the difference.  

In my quest to find something that would be indicative of the brick with black windows I've been wandering the streets near my place and found some examples of black windows with brick.  Here are just a few of them:

The other thing about the facade is the door.  The garage door is probably going to be Timbagrain in the darker Caoba (rather than Cedar):

The front door is currently spec'd as Slimlite SLMH 202

But due to the changes in thinking about the older / established look are also thinking about getting this door quoted up:

And then painting the door in a satin or semi gloss black.. but I wonder if it will look good with a deck or if it will need a more slate like entrance?  Hmm... something to think about!

Originally our courtyard and rear doors were going to be stacking ones but that was when we were thinking of going with Siteline/Composite where the inside would be timber.  But the more we thought about it we liked the look of the timber or the black.  And at the price difference and with Colonial bars we thought the black would look better.  But then in the rear we have a view... so the Colonial bars may get in the way and with stacking it may look a bit silly so we decided to go to the bifold doors!  Talk about a pivot in thinking!!  By having bifold we can then make it become 'clear' for the view.  Well at least on a nice day :D

I even asked if we can consider going a gable end so I can get highlight windows (not sure what they are called!) like these:

I wasn't really happy with the raked ceiling idea that Sekisui came back with but that's because the roof line became super confusing.  Not really sure how it will work if we want to have a raked ceiling and ducted air cond ;)  but I suppose not all of it is raked so there will be cavities to put the ducting in.  And then lighting becomes an issue.  Ah well I suppose we really do need to take our time in getting this right although I'm sure the draftspeople won't agree.