Vinyl windows? I'd choose a darker color like bronze in something other than vinyl.

Any plans for the roof?

We are going with the Andersen Renewal windows which aren't wood but aren't vinyl either. They are composite and look nicer than the vinyl ones in our opinion.

We hadn't been considering a darker window color - Andersen does have a dark bronze color. What would you do with the panel/trim/soffit/facia boards with a darker window color? In my mind, that panel gets painted the same color as the window...

Susan, I'm sure we could do that but, at this point, it's cost prohibitive. Good idea though.

You guys are supposed to be narrowing our choices not increasing them!

Didn't answer roof question: The roof is in good, functioning condition so no plans to replace. Going to look at some type of cleaner to see if I can at least get a uniform color from the shingles. I agree it stands out as unattractive.

"You guys are supposed to be narrowing our choices not increasing them!"

That's not how it works here :)

We should also be discussing paint color, shutters etc.

We do not want to paint the brick. Other than that, everything is fair game. Shutters gone / shutters painted, panels painted, soffits / trim, etc. We kicked ourselves to get started and have to decide on the window color by Tues after next. I'm still interested in what your rec would be for the panels / soffits if the windows were dark bronze.

Thanks!

What material is below the windows? Stucco, wood?

Those are just flat wood panels. We were thinking of painting those maybe the color of the windows, ditching the iron, and making a inset square out of trim to add some kind of depth.

Thanks for the mock up PPF! I can't say that I love the way that looks but really appreciate the visualization. Those squares are exactly what I was thinking myself. Do you mind showing what that would look like with the two colors I noted above?

Thanks,
Mike

Oh ha, I just read your response about ignoring the colors. I meant that I didn't love that color combo. But yeah, I agree, I think the squares like that is what we need to go with.

I like the green as is, but understand you want a change.

I don't have a brick to match yours, so colors won't mean much.

Are you considering a grid pattern in the windows as you have now?

I would also trim or remove some of the trees around your house. The shade over the roof is promoting that black growth on your shingles and that stuff damages this type roofing. Also, roots can damage foundations as well, so removing some of those branches or whole trees that have gotten overgrown would help the look of your home a good deal.

PPF, Thanks. We like and are keeping the grid pattern as is in the windows.

Flo, Thanks for the response. Yes, I plan on spraying it with those mold/fungus removers and see if that can help. Another dark color vote! You guys are making this even harder. Looking around the neighborhood the only dark windows are people with a white or light gray painted brick not the darker red brick like ours. We never really considered it. Almost all red brick houses around here have white windows but we think that would be too stark especially with our deep soffits. Even though this isn't helping us decide between the canvas and sandtone (haha), I appreciate everyone's thoughts.

Dare to be different. The dark is a much better look with your brick. White shows dirt faster and it stains more and limits your other paint trim choices. Sometimes, on Houzz, you get a broader overall perspective and that is all good. Good luck on your choices.

Flo, thanks and thanks for the pictures. I replied before I saw those. What's your take on keeping the green like PPF stated (obviously painting it) with darker windows. Still lose the shutters and Iron? My wife and I admit that we don't mind the green as much as when we moved in but maybe we are just used to it.

You can have the roof power washed. It makes an amazing difference. I like the dark bronze with panels, soffit, and trim all painted the same color. I would not replace the shutters-they are too small and there is not enough room to install properly some that are properly sized.

Shutters off.

It looks like you have a band board. Brick houses often have white band boards. I know yours is a different style but here is an example.

I like the green windows.

Thanks Emmarene for the visualization. We need to peek behind those shutters to see if the brick is discolored. I'm sure they've been there since 1963 when the house was built. And, we do have some significant trim between the soffit/facia/band boards. Here's a pic of the "porch"ceiling. Obviously, this needs to be cleaned and painted. One of my concerns is that if we do black windows or dark bronze, that's a lot of dark trim up top.

I'm actually thinking perhaps about a sandtone frame with the canvas windows and maybe maybe make the trim two colors with sandtone on the vertical facing boards and canvas (cream) in the ceiling / top / horizontal boards. The window would look something like this:

But I don't think we are going to do the shake. From what I've read, it's expensive to do correctly and has required maintenance. Other option would be doing the "two tone" window like above but keeping/refreshing the green bottom panel and green trim up top. I think they'd go together all right.

But I don't think we are going to do the shake. From what I've read, it's expensive to do correctly and has required maintenance. Other option would be doing the "two tone" window like above but keeping/refreshing the green bottom panel and green trim up top. I think they'd go together all right.

Looks good. On the shakes, many options that are no more maintenance than any other siding.

I've used both of these, and while they do not look authentic, they are easy to install and maintain.

http://www.collinsco.com/truwood-collection/old-mill/

http://www.lpsmartside.com/products/cedarshakes/

Even is the brick is a lighter color beneath the shutters it will still look better without them, IMO.

We're late to the conversation, but want to point out that we do have an app that can help you visualize what different window styles and colors will look like on your own home (since using your imagination is so difficult!). You can download it here: https://www.renewalbyandersen.com/get-inspired/mobile-app.aspx