I like everything about your house except the busy-ness of the current front door. I would go with your wife's idea of full glass panel, take away all the ricky racky stuff in that door setup. My OCD is telling me that you gotta center the house number over the door. It's a nice traditional house - not a farmhouse - and so I think the current windows work well. I'm sure others are better with color than I but maybe the blue shutters and even like a deep taupe door might work. I would also focus on your landscaping b/c I think the house is quite nice except for the door. Those blocky shrubs are not doing much for your pretty house. In my neighborhood everyone was doing those black windows and I can see already that the trend is fading away....as is, thankfully, the farmhouse thing.

window grids were all the rage...WERE being the operative word here. if you are ordering new windows skip the grids. Also, order black as it's more of an updated look. I also think black will work with your brick really well

Also, maybe remove shutters? I'll let designers weigh in on that though

Thanks for the feedback Melissa. I'm worried the windows look undersized without the shutters, but appreciate the mock up without them!

Very pretty home. I think the windows and shutters look appropriate for your home, except I think they should be removed from the upstairs double window on the left (they would not cover the window if closed). I would paint the trim around the doorway the same color as the shutters (not white, looks too busy), and will make whatever door you choose to stand out. The white door you show is much too contemporary for your house; I think full glass is not in keeping with the style, but the 3/4 glass as in the first suggestion by SashaDog might work. Sidelights should be matched to the door so that it looks like a cohesive unit.

Casements would be wrong for the style of your home. You need double hung here- they could be 1 over 1. 2 over 2, 6 over 6... If you do grids you want SDL not grids between glass. I think the doors sashadog posted are perfect, traditional but upgraded. Since you have a porch you could get a wood door... Your shutters are fine once repainted (I'm in the south so shutters are almost always Charleston green) As for the trim I would do olive/grey on everything, or the buff. I don't love white with your brick.

Hey SashaDog,

We have a few drivers for the window change (below), but appreciate the feedback on the house...that's my same worry as well.

1. These are builder windows and they are junk...the casings are all sagging, they're terribly inefficient (we have rooms that are freezing in the winter and letting in a lot of heat from Western exposure in the summer).
2. We remodelled inside and have always felt that the exterior didn't reflect what was going on in the house.
3. Two of the windows have actually failed and have moisture between the panes (not needing a wholesale change, but was part of what started this whole adventure)
4. Window coverings - we haven't done any of these for the house other than put up a couple of Ready Shads and hang a few curtains as we were thinking about doing shades. We didn't want to order shades only to have them not fit if we decide to do the windows later.

@tfitz1006

Yes, no excuse on the house number other than I don't know what the builder was thinking when they installed that...also an easy fix I should have done when I bought the house.

Interesting enough this reno conversation started with landscaping...will keep that on the radar as it sounds like that's a sore spot that needs attention.

I would stick with a colonial style door, transom and sidelights; keep the shutters and repaint them. New windows should have muntins for your style of home. My main focus would be the landscaping. Remove the tall tree blocking part of the window on the left and replace the blocky hedges, especially the one that is overtaking your steps.

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IMO that house does not suit casement windows but I agaree no grids if a real facelift is the aim I would lose the shutters do black windows double hung and one of the doors suggested already I do not think the MCM type door does not work.

I don’t like the mock up without the shutters.

Don't bypass the option to upgrade screens with your new windows. I have 2 porch windows with the upgrade. The screens are barely noticeable and gnats can't get through them.

A full view door could be made to look more traditional with door hardware and a hanging porch lamp. (House number on porch column.) If the color of the door window trim (and grid, if keeping) match the door (fewer lines grabbing attention) that might help to update look.

If removing your window grids can be temporary, I suggest to remove them for awhile. It does take getting used to. The open view might give you a better perspective on your landscape design.

In shopping for shingles you will find the architectural ones are priced the same as regular shingles. The architectural ones can have shade variations of the same or different colors. Our new shingles are grey with a scattering of shingles in brick-red. The brochures with shingle options can help you decide on a color. Also siding brochures (and of course online) give lots of examples of house trim color combinations.

I am not a professional. If you will be making big changes and have
selected your choices - a colorist/designer could help you source
selections and pull everything together. If you are on the fence on
where to put your resources they can help there too.

Appreciate all the feedback...love the community on this site!

Based on what i'm hearing, it sounds like i shouldn't rock the boat too much on the style of home, but work on refining it instead.

• Shutters could stay, but need painting
• Landscaping needs attention
• Muntins (sadly) match the style of the home
• Black casings are starting to go out of favor
• Door can't go super modern or full insert

So something like this...

Something like that but double hung not casements (could do casements on bay)

Just my opinion.... would definitely get windows with actual panes, but if you can swing it cost-wise you should get the simulated divided lights. not the press-on or only-between-the-glass lights. Check out a window company website for examples. It will give definition to your windows and get rid of the builder basic look.

Keep the shutters.

New front door, as previous poster said, shoot for something classic and less busy. Sasha dog gave some great ideas.

I agree, avoid any stark white in trim and windows. We have the cashmere color from Marvin, maybe look at that.

I would keep shutters the same color or similar and maybe look at more dramatic color or front door, if that's what you want. Low commitment if your taste changes.

Basically, windows and doors are an area where going low-end is reflected in the look. Fine if that's your budget, but sounds like you are interested in really upgrading the look. (As well as function). Start researching window companies and look at their mid- or high- range options. I really don't think you'd be happy with inexpensive, basic vinyl windows.

To get a sense of a change on your window grid pattern, can you remove just the BOTTOM grids on the windows in the front portion of your house. Stand back and look at them. That is a 6/1. You might tape out the appearance of 4/1 using white tape. Yes to keeping double hung. Yes to fresh paint on your shutters. Yes to removing the shutters on the double window. And yes to a partial glass, NOT full glass, front door.

@ptreckel thanks for the idea on the 4/1.

Any suggestions on color of shutters?

I feel like my house is like a second cousin to your house.

I think the 4/1 is very promising

The 4/1 looks nice. :)

Not to be pedantic but that is two over two- windows are deceived by each Individual window then sash type. So what you are showing here is two over two meaning the top sash has two panes and the lower sash has two panes, this is because sometimes the upper and lower sashes have a different number of panes (like ptreckle is suggesting by removing the lower grid you’d get the colonial revival look of 6 over 1)

@HALLETT & Co.thanks for clarifying, will give that another try

Actually, 2/2 does look nice! 😉

That house will look very off with single-pane (or even two-) windows, because gridded windows go with that style. You can see from the mockups that one-pane windows will look like a face with LARGE polka dots. Not happy.