Looks nice!

It’s a gorgeous view!

Thanks :-) This year will be spent really working on that view, too, so I really wanted to improve that specific area. New windows are ridiculously expensive, though!!

If appropriate to the house to have grills, get windows with real grills next time outside and inside. Until then it doesn't matter. And the windows with removable grills are worse than windows without grills. Care to show an image from the outside? Also, what you show looks so pretty, I wonder if you would care to show a picture from further back.

None for me. Like clear glass.

Care to show an image from the outside? Also, what you show looks so pretty, I wonder if you would care to show a picture from further back.

Sure, @kl23. This was last week, you can see the grills in the window:

Closer pic, taken today... petals are falling:

Even closer so you can see the window from the outside:

My own windows are taller and skinnier than yours and I have the one up one across grills, but the grill color matches the window color inside and out and it in no way takes away from or impedes the view (and these are newly installed from windows that didn’t have grills). So it’s really just a personal preference…your windows look nice without grills, but they’d also look nice with grills but only if the grills matched the window color.

Divided lights is a feature that comes and goes in popularity. Often the negative aspect is the cleaning of all the different sections. Someone thought removable grilles would fix this issue. If you prefer your windows this way perfect! I would keep hold of the grilles, however as the person coming after you might appreciate them.

Definitely without grilles for the simple reason yours don't match the outside window trim

@jck910, I always intended to pull them down and paint the backs to match, but it's one of those things that kept getting pushed to the back burner :-/ Just never enough time in the day, ya know?

I think I'm going to go through the house and take them all out, then give it some time to see what I think. It's hard to be objective when you've seen it one way for almost 20 years, I guess I'll have to let it simmer for awhile and see what I think.

I like windows without grilles. But I would rethink drapes. Too dark and heavy.

I took ours out a few years ago and did feel exposed for quite a while. I just looked a the windows and don't miss them a bit. The windows are easier to clean that's for sure. Ours were stained so from outside they appeared to match our bronze windows.

But I would rethink drapes. Too dark and heavy.

That's actually intentional. The windows are pushing 30 years old, and I don't know if there's any argon left in them at all because they get COLD in the winter! Those drapes are designed to help insulate and block out the cold.

I know that I need new windows, but Andersen quoted $86,400!! That ain't happening, even if I had $86k to blow. If new windows were to save me an amazing $50 /month on my electric bill (which would be a 20% decrease, way above the 12% average), after 30 years that's a total savings of $18,000. So it's just not financially feasible to spend anything over $20,000 on new windows.

Your windows look perfect without grilles. And your drapes are fine.

Thanks, Jason. That tree is very pretty. I think you made a good choice to remove the grills. I'd also paint the white facia board to match the trim, that dark brown. I love your drapes. I was drawn to them immediately. I love the way they almost glowed with the sun coming in. Thanks much for sharing.

I'm wondering if maybe someone gave you a bad quote. $86K divided by $860 a window (high end) is 100 windows. I've never seen a house with 100 windows.  My house has 12 windows and three sliding doors for example. I'd talk to a couple of local contractors instead of just a window sales person. I learned with a roofing company the hazards of some (certainly not all) roof and window companies is that they don't have a clue what to do if one of the workers damages your house in the process. A contractor fixes the damage and is well equipped to do so. I don't know if others feel the same way. I just get too anxious now having just a single trade at the house. I don't trust the situation. I wonder too if Anderson Windows might appreciate knowing that someone is selling their windows at super high prices. Maybe they would cancel their business arrangement with them and direct you to someone near you whom they trust more. My dad taught me to start such communications with, "I thought someone who has built their reputation on quality would like to know..." Good companies do want to know. Anderson and Pella are both well respected companies. 

Also, if you go with a general contractor, you can have windows, siding, roof all done at once, or just windows and siding, or just the windows. When you get the siding done you can ask for insulation. Sometimes to stay cheap a company will give you a quote on just siding and then surprise you later with an insulation suggestion. I would think most houses would be helped with an upgrade in materials like insulation. And if you replace windows and siding together you have the option of enlarging or eliminating a window.

These are just some thoughts to consider. I think you rightfully said no way to $86K for just windows. But windows, siding, and roofing are important to home integrity, not just energy savings. I knew I didn't have a choice when a hurricane blew rain into my house through the windows... Little drips under them on the wallboard. If yours are 30 years old you may still have a little time to think about what you really want for your home. I can't tell what style house you have or when it was built. If colonial style the 3x3 top and bottom would be appropriate. If later than that, say built in the 1920's, no grills would be more appropriate. This is an interesting read. The Victorian era and beyond used larger panes of glass because they could. They were showing off. https://sixoversixwindows.co.uk/blog/history-of-sash-window-styles/

Many of these styles are available through Anderson. https://www.andersenwindows.com/windows-and-doors/options-and-accessories/grilles/