Why do you want to get rid of the grids?

If you have a choice and the budget you may want to consider a more substantial grid pattern such as a 2 over 2.

I have a taupe house with brown windows & trim. We had pop out grids that came with the windows, but chose to leave them off. Really like the look on our house

When we replaced our windows, we went with no grids, partly because it was 30% more money and partly because I didn't like cleaning and painting them. We had 6 over 6. I really wish the window guy would've recommended at least grids on the top. I feel like my house looks somewhat "naked". I know I could buy the pop-in grids, but I'm not really interested. And my house also has painted trim around the windows. We are in the middle of painting the house this week and I decided to match the window trim to the windows. I'll take a pic and post here when they're done.

We agonized over that choice when building our house. In the end, we stayed with grids in the front windows of the house, but in back we went with 6-over-clear (no grids on bottom part). We liked the back so well afterwards that we wished we'd done it in front too.

Thanks, everyone!

Palimpsest, I don't really know that I do want to get rid of the grids! Thing is, the options I've been presented with for grids seem really flimsy or they are "fake." By that I mean, I can't see having grids that are positioned within the glass, lol! I know, some brilliant person invented them for ease of cleaning...give him or her a Nobel Prize, but I don't think that's for me. Amazing that such a thing costs extra money. Real grids that resemble and feel like a window pane are not readily available it seems, but I can look into that further. Thanks!

Dee, I agree, the grids (or actual window panes) are so wonderful on traditional houses. Traditional IS my style but that's not what this house I bought 4.5 years ago is! I think it sort of gives a little nod (or wink) to colonial style, but most who drive by probably don't see that! (I looked hard to find it!) I'm sure they see a somewhat contemporary house.

I think the plain window could be okay too, it's just that big honkin' picture window that concerns me! Again, the WT will make a difference, I'm sure. Also, when the shade is up you can see that I have a busy Chippendale railing going across the second floor hallway...more lines!

Krayers, thanks for your reply. Post a pic if you can!

Malhgold, you have such a pretty house. Love your shingles and the color of your door! Thanks for showing a close up of the trim. I think the burgundy is very pretty, but I can imagine it looking pretty all one color too. You didn't get your wood wrapped? Will watch for pics of your finished painting.

Tracey, that's interesting. Thanks for telling me about your experience with grids/no grids!

What about the brown trim? I want to have the wood wrapped, and I think they have a brown "wrap." Should I just do white all the way & forget about the brown? Will white look okay next to my creamy siding and brown roof?

Thanks again!

I replaced my windows last year and went without the grids. I love that they gave a cleaner, more updated look. I have a brick home with almond colored trim, and had to pay more for the almond windows. A house down the street from me had similar colors and put in white windows....screams to me that they are replacement windows. Another feature that I got was a 60/40 split, meaning that the sash is not centered in the window, but slightly offset. My front windows are 6 feet tall, and I think this is much more pleasing to the eye.

I do think the lines of your home are contemporary, and that windows without grids would look great!

I prefer the grids. The tax credit expires December 31, 2010 and doesn't include installation costs, so can you possibly get the windows bought before that time but not install them after?

Also, make sure you buy windows that qualify, some of the stuff in Home Depot doesn't..

Here is a link that might be useful: Energystar.gov tax credit items & deadlines

Tracie, thanks for your reply and the link.

Yes, all three of my estimates are for windows that qualify for the tax credit. Was just wondering if you & others think this benefit might be available again next year (In case I don't make up my mind soon enough. This is a big decision!)

Seems it's in the best interest of all to offer this for at least a few more years, but who knows?

Good point that the credit does not apply to the entire job, just the windows. Thanks again!

This year's tax credit is a continuation from last year. Like all of the other tax credits/rebates, they come to an end. Who knows if this one will be extended, but I wouldn't count on it.

Ladelta, thanks for the feedback. Your house and windows sound very pretty. Glad you got the results you wanted!

Thanks for also chiming in about the tax credit! I may miss the boat on this one, but that's okay.

stinky- your house and landscaping are beautiful. I would def keep the grids. you can also buy windows with grids that pop out for cleaning either plastic or wood. That is what we did.

I really like the grids, it adds detail.
Love your landscaping, very pretty.

Cooperbailey, thank you so much for the nice words and for the feedback! I don't think my house is attractive...I think it looks very odd, but I do like my landscaping and I am grateful for it, since without it, I'd have NO curb appeal!!

Roseabbey, thanks for your reply and nice thoughts. I appreciate your input.

I would still like to hear opinions about the brown trim! Would windows without contrasting trim look really odd and blank?

Thanks for any feedback or suggestions.

To qualify for the tax credit they must be installed by the Dec. 31 deadline, not just purchased.

Also keep in mind this is the same tax credit from last year and it's a maximum of a $1,500 credit combined, so make sure you didn't use it all last year (like we did).

Thanks, Wi-Sailorgirl. Think I'm going to have to sit this one out. I just have too many questions & can't figure out what will look right on the house. Was hoping to get more feedback here, but I guess windows aren't a very interesting topic! (...but they sure are expensive!)