I was in Winterbourne today as I had been asked to look at what turned out to be a pleasant detached house just a few years old and I am pleased to say that it was in good condition – I really didn’t expect much less. I was, however, somewhat surprised to find painted softwood joinery at roof level, because this makes for additional maintenance – laminate would have been, in my opinion, better. However, as I always say whilst plastics and laminates are sold on the basis they are maintenance free, they are, but they are also a ‘magnate’ for dirt and grime and as a result they will need more regular cleaning than would naturally painted softwood, if their pristine condition is to be kept up to scratch, but that’s life. The house had a smallish garden overlooking open fields, almost giving it a ‘pastoral aire’…   more »