Hi Robert, Antracite grey would modernise your home...

Hi Robert, Depending on yur location we would be happy to help you, and we also do Solidor as per image?

Hi Robert, just to show you an example of a recent installation of a house update similar to your colours but in Rosewood UPVC, and Solidor, the house is located in an area where all houses are not allowed to change the colour of the window frames and have to be the same as the others...

Hi Kevin, we live in a house of a similar era and had the same issue. We were recommended anthracite grey but we felt it is a bit overdone where we live. We didn't see any point in replacing with the same colour so opted for new timber windows finished in Farrow and Ball light grey. We also got rid of the old bay window as it looked fussy. Excuse the mess, it's a big renovation project.

I absolutely did NOT want white upvc. husband didn't want timber because of the maintenance. prices of alu-clad timber was extortionate. SO after 3 years of looking, we found Choices Windows. They do LOTS of ranges but the one we chose was Residence 9. It looks like old fashioned casement (flush on outside) which suited out 1930s semi, has engineered joints, quality locking system & is VERY secure. It comes in about 10 different colours foiled finish which looks like wood. We chose silvered oak & they looked like they had been there for years from day one. So effective that I STILL get door knocking window salesmen who stand next to them & can't see that they are new & not old wood. You can choose glass thickness (so we chose 4mm internal & 6mm external as live on a main road & the sound proofing (not to mention the improved draught-proof & heat retention) is amazing - can't hear the road at all. Highly recommend. We were able to go direct but usually you would use a local supplier/installer. Just a note we had 2 large bays & patio doors as well as smaller units they CANNOT be installed by a normal window fitter as they come as sealed units (can't be taken apart unless you know how) & are VERY heavy. Good luck!

Pic above - not brilliant, sorry - front door NOT done yet, that's an original I'm trying hard to retain. Inside the windows is

a white foiled finish - again you can choose.

There is a development near me that have these brown windows and I agree that they are very dull. However, where people have changed them (white) they stand out but not in a good way. As you are attached I think you should go for a dark colour like graphite/anthracite but have the white inside. I would also go for the same colour door.

We recently completely changed the front of our 50's house and put in anthracite grey windows which are wonderful but they're a lot bigger than yours. You have brown guttering, soffits and fascias and grey is going to look wrong. Be careful of appearing too dark by having the same colour door, also as someone has already said it is going to be costly.

Another reason for white was the decor inside. You don't want it too dark. But we wanted some detail on the window. Look at the window of the neighbouring property in the pic above. We wanted to avoid the plain 'industrial unit window' look.

Is it possible for upvc window frames, facias, gutterings, etc to be painted effectively?

I had the same dilemma with a very similar house. I went for the anthracite and have not regretted it. The gutters etc are going to be changed when (if) better weather comes.

@D R,

Not sure if uPVC fascias can be painted effectively. I can't imagine there'd be anything effective considering it would need to face the elements but I may be wrong - think Google may be your friend. Our fascia is wood.

I have successfully painted uPVC windows with a product called Zinsser AllCoat Exterior in satin. It is an absolutely amazing product. Covered the frames with just one coat, and it still allows the wood grain to show through. We had dark brown frames with red brick (just like you) and we changed them to black. It looks extremely smart. I also painted the metal garage door with the same paint, with the same level of success. I can't rate the product high enough. It is also available tinted to any colour in satin, matt and gloss. Contact your local paint shop, who will be able to source it for you if they don't stock it already.

poppycat01 here's a couple...

And this is the product I used: http://www.zinsseruk.com/product/allcoat-exterior/

Black is always elegant. White, not so much.

@christine naylor - yes they are more expensive BUT I believe they are worth every penny - the thermal qualities & the sound proofing are superb. Try a different supplier maybe for a comparison price? Originally we went direct (but then had to find someone with the experience to fit them as they come glazed (not in bits) & are VERY heavy! The second lot we wanted (had to save up!) we went to a local window company & the price was ridiculous, so we went back direct. If you ring CWG in Corby they've always been very helpful.

@robert - our residence 9 are white (grained)inside & silver oak outside - many options on colourways. But I suppose that's easy cos they are made, then foiled. Maybe not so easy with standard upvc. I really don't know. But any decent window firm should be able to tell you.

It's an interesting house. My advice is: stick to the original - and use wood, not plastic. It looks and feels much better and will last longer. The colour should be dictated by what the house had originally.

@robert - that's why we LOVE our residence 9. I didn't want plastic - eco reasons & all that - but in the end practicality won. But they look just like wood - even pretty close up!

@robert - they aren't 'cheap'! and as I said in a previous post, it does depend on the mark up put on by the supplier / fitter. I'm afraid I haven't experience of the 2 makes you mention, so couldn't compare. We bought direct, then paid fitters separately as a price we got for a local company to do it all (who are an approved supplier / fitter by CWG) was eye watering! - but it would be best to get someone who DEFINITELY has fitted them before because they are not 'ordinary' windows. VERY heavy. CWG choices in Corby should be able to help you. What I will do is send a copy of this post to the contact I have there & see if he can add anything to this thread.

@robert, I contacted a chap called Nick Rudd at CWG (Choices windows). He said they do kommerling too & the residence 9 works out about 40% dearer. If you are interested at all, he said please do email (nick.rudd@yahoo.co.uk) or call him 07703 193583 . The reason it isn't as corporate email & a mobile not an office line is cos he works between offices & is out a lot, so its just easier that way. They are a 'proper' firm, I promise! Good luck. I know Nick will help if he at all can.

We live in a 1980s brick house which had dated brown plastic doors and windows. We went for anthracite windows and an anthracite Solidor similar to the one posted above, plus matching drainpipes etc. Our house stands out from the rest of the street now, but in a good way (makes the rest look even more dated). We had the porch rendered grey to modernise it even more.

Hi Robert,

I would also choose Anthracite Grey windows, they give a clean modern feel to any home!

Anthracite grey is certainly the popular mainstream contemporary option but mid grey is the shade the architects are already adopting as their colour of choice now . Antracite can make the house look darker . It works best on a white render . My suggestion would be a cool mid to light mid grey but if you opt for Anthracite personally I’d go for a white soffit . Good luck