You can have the grids on the top sashes and none on the bottom.

But if you go black, they are likely to disappear from the street.

When you say you are changing windows, do you mean replacing? Or just painting?

Replacing. Decided to keep white likely as black would probably make too contemporary.

Much easier.

Your house seems fairly new. Do you mind me asking why you are replacing?

It's 16 years old and the MW windows which are wood are causing us problems. We will replace with all vinyl (not wrap), with interior grids versus the removable ones we currently have. Still having a tough time deciding what type of grids to use, whether keeping it colonial, change it to victorian with just the top grid or perimeter but I think the last two would look best on casement windows and I'm not sure that's what I want although would like not having a screen on the outside.

[Black[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/buckhead-traditional-exterior-atlanta-phvw-vp~2145643) window frames, 2 lites over 3 lites casement windows and darker (not white) trim throughout would look great on your brick house with the dark roof.

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/buckhead-traditional-exterior-atlanta-phvw-vp~2145643-traditional-exterior-atlanta[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/buckhead-traditional-exterior-atlanta-phvw-vp~2145643)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/heavy-timber-tudor-traditional-exterior-dc-metro-phvw-vp~2619555-Timber-Tudor-traditional-exterior-dc-metro[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/heavy-timber-tudor-traditional-exterior-dc-metro-phvw-vp~2619555)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/windsor-companies-traditional-landscape-minneapolis-phvw-vp~422270-Companies-traditional-landscape-Minneapolis[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/windsor-companies-traditional-landscape-minneapolis-phvw-vp~422270)

I never heard of MW windows, but Googling them reveals immediately that they are not good. However, it is the brand, not the fact that they are wood, that is causing you problems. If you get vinyl windows, you will be replacing in another 16 years, no matter the brand. They are not made to last; they can't be repaired and they can't expand and contract with the house so they become inoperable. Please please please look into a decent window brand for wood windows like Marvin or Jeld-wen. Or aluminum-clad windows from those brands, if you are really turned off by wood on the exterior. You have a large, striking, expensive looking home and vinyl windows will seriously cheapen it.

Scott Design, Inc. Thank you for the suggestions. I had not thought of that quite in that manner before. Interesting to consider.

Emilyam819. Will reconsider the wood, although I've found so many problems both interior and exterior with our current. I'll look at the two brands that you've recommended. Thank you.

Also look at Loewen windows, they are a very good company.

I meant to say casements with 2 lites over 4 lites. Also, window egress code requirements for sleeping rooms may have changed since the house was built. You may have to take that into consideration when selecting a style(s).

Thank you. Great thought on the code requirements! That's something that hadn't occurred to me. I agree with you on the darker windows and upper muntins and we agree with black shutters.

I think I'm going to paint the widow's walk black as well, maybe change out to iron, but not completely sold on that idea yet.

Thanks for your thoughts and your previous links.

To all of you who have helped with your ideas, here's what we're thinking (excuse the sharpie...)

That looks fantastic!