We also used Azek as trim with our pre-painted HardiShingles and are glad we did. Our builder really liked working with Azek since it's light-weight and so consistent (no knot-holes, etc.). He even did some bending of it, although that was quite a challenge! Although it technically doesn't require painting, we painted it with a 50-year BM exterior white paint so it would match the white of some of our decorative trim pieces (brackets, crossheads, etc.). We also caulked the nailholes, although they weren't as obvious as we expected because our builder used smaller nails. We're hoping the Azek will never need to be repainted! By the way, we were very glad we got our HardiShingles pre-painted and we didn't have any problems. They were painted by a company called Weiss who gives a 25-year warranty. Weiss has a nice range of colors or will paint a custom color. They're a good company that stands behind their product. Here's a photo showing some of our Azek trim next to HardiShingles. Even the flower box is made from Azek! I should mention that the paladian crosshead in the photo is not Azek. It's by a company called "Custom Decorative Moulding" ("CDM"). We really like CDM products and found their company to be extremely helpful. Their products can be made to custom sizes (as this crosshead was) and they come pre-painted in white - - although not the same shade of white as Azek. P.S. If you decide to paint Azek, our painter learned that it takes special prep first. Not hard, just different.

BM Aura Matte in our guest bathroom (Bath and Spa came out right after we'd completed that room), and BM Aura Bath and Spa Matte finish in our hall bathroom and MB. Love the look--it's not shiny at all, but not dead flat either. Has almost a velvety look. We used BM Aura Satin finish on the base molding (Bath and Spa not available in Satin, at least not earlier last year, not is Aura available in Pearl finish, which has slightly less sheen than Satin from what I've been told). Paint color is the same as the wall color, but the molding looks nicer with a hint of sheen IMO.

greenthumbfish, you're welcome. :~D Paint store people and painters sometimes hold really stupid, asshat beliefs about color. And you're right, about the idiot thing. Sometimes it is because they are certifiable idiots (I could give specific examples but I'll be good and keep my opinions to myself). Other times it's because their egos get in the way and they're just not receptive to hearing any other color point of view but their own -- it's about hearing themselves talk and giving instructions rather than really listening to some one in order to customize paint and color on an individual, case by case basis. What sucks is homeowners -- and many design professionals -- are at the mercy of these folks. There's no one to really listen to them and advocate for them while navigating the paint store and managing its staff or the hired paint labor. Once in a blue moon, you'll find a paint store who has someone like Faron working there, but that's not the norm. Or, you get lucky and find a craftsman instead of just a painter. All you can do is do your homework so you have a good idea of what it is you want and need and remember all those people work for you because you're the customer. There's a lot that's broken in paint world and there are many layers to any conversation about what exactly is broken. Many years ago on this very forum I brought up the idea of a New Age of Color. Well, we're there. The range of discussion about a new age encompasses many different aspects of color, light, science, and how humans process the sensation of color. From the rapid advancements in paint to the metaphysical. Questions and suspicions abound about how humans have (or could be) physically and psychically evolving and how environmental sensitivities and senses of awareness are becoming more pronounced. Are we affected by our environment more today than ever, or not? If yes, will those sensitivities continue to evolve and will awareness continue to deepen? I dunno those answers. But I do believe that color is going to evolve - technically, scientifically, holistically, and probably in more ways than I am able to imagine. The answers about how to keep up and what we need to do to cope with the changes lie with the visionaries, the ones who aren't afraid to stand on the cutting-edge and push for overhauls where needed and most importantly lead. ... and I think it's a safe bet we won't see the guy at the paint store who told you that sheen doesn't matter standing on that cutting edge.

Bought houses with Pressure treated and cedar decks. Recently changed current deck to IPE. Summary of experience & research: 1) Cedar is soft and subject to mildew. Poor deck choice. Will have short life. Eventually stepping through deck boards convinced me to replace! 2) Pressure treated: The old standard. Cheap to put in, relatively cheap to replace if needed. Vulnerable to carpenter bees(a real problem here). Being porous PT wood, accepts stain well. Can use without stain, but life shorter, greys and develops surface cracks 3) straight plastics. Best spill & stain resistance. No splinters. Get soft in high heat, high expansion/contraction with temperature can lead to sag/wavy. Need joists 12" apart or less to avoid excess sponginess. Minimum maintenance required. Like everything, color fades with sun exposure over time. Unlike wood products, can not renew color by restaining. 4) plastic+sawdust products(e.g.Trex). Stronger and stiffer than straight plastic. Originally claimed low maintenance. After class action lawsuits by deck owners, manufacturers have backed off claim. Mildew eats out sawdust leaving spongy plastic which disintegrates. Most of these products now recommend regular cleaning to prevent mildew growth. Newer versions have external solid plastic wrap to try to prevent mildew. Would not buy until at least 5 year track record of these newer products surviving without mildew or other disintegration problems. 5) IPE. Tough, strong, fire resistant, resist carpenter bees. Difficult to cut, screw(need to predrill and use stainless steel screws) increases installation work. Theoretically, very long life. Can be left unstained (like everything else, sun will turn it grey eventually). In order to keep attractive wood color, regular staining is required. Does not take stain well. Need special tropical hardwood stains. Need to restain more frequently than PT wood. Subject to discoloration by spills/stain if finish wears off or leave unfinished. 6) Other tropical hardwoods. Generally either same as or inferior to IPE in function. Worth considering if want different look than IPE.