10 Extreme Home Improvements That Will Bring Home The Gold In The Cold

Winter is here and if you live in a climate where cold weather hurts your face, you’re probably reading this from under a comfy blanket with a cup of tea, avoiding the frigid temps to stay warm. Or maybe you’re like a lot of us who love winter and start dusting off our snow gear in August.

This year winter is a bit more fun with all the excitement surrounding the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Some of the world’s most talented athletes compete in extreme sports in the cold. It made us think about other extreme things you can do in the winter, like home improvement! Once you get past the bone-chilling cold, there really is a sunny side to home improvement.

Not convinced? Let’s explore 10 extreme home improvement projects that can be done this winter.

Why Winter Works

Not every day of winter is dreary, there are a lot of sunny days that are perfect for getting something done around the house.

Below are a few reasons you can benefit from making home improvements in the winter:

• Cost savings: Business is slower during the colder months for home improvement suppliers, so finding a deal and materials in stock may be easier. Items like doors, windows, tile, and even lumber can be found more affordable in the winter– which means you can maximize the potential of your home improvement loan as well.
• Contractor availability: Most people aren’t planning major home improvements in the winter, giving contractors a little more availability in these months.  
• Chase away the blues: Planning a project and staying active in the winter can help us chase away cabin fever. Nothing makes us feel more energized than accomplishing goals and checking things off the list of to-dos.  

5 Interior Home Improvements For Winter

Home improvement projects are a lot like the Winter Olympics. You plan for months, save your money, consult with the pros and now you have to put it all out there and get it done. No, you’re not Shaun White preparing to drop into a halfpipe, but you are embarking on a home improvement project and that isn’t for the faint of heart either.

The following are five major projects to consider this winter.

Electrical Upgrades

Outdated or faulty electrical systems create unseen fire hazards in our homes. Over time, wires can become exposed and get hot when in use. An inconsistent distribution of power in your home can cause unnecessary wear and tear on expensive appliances.

As technology changes, so does the need to upgrade the electrical system in your home. If you’ve had a breaker blow or if an outlet stopped working, consider having your home's electrical system evaluated by an experienced electrician. Improving the amount and distribution of power in your home can help increase the longevity of your appliances and keep you and your family safe.

We recommend working with a licensed and experienced electrician. Working with electricity can be incredibly dangerous and requires a great deal of knowledge to be done safely and up to building code standards.

Below are a few projects that could improve the safety and efficiency of your home’s electrical system:

• Replace meters and circuit breakers: Upgrading the electrical panel can bring more power from the utility to the home. Replacing the circuit breakers will allow the home to handle more power and distribute it evenly.
• Add or upgrade outlets: If outlets are older, consider replacing them with updated Think about the spaces in your home that need an outlet. Discuss these areas with your electrician and make it happen.
• Remove outdated equipment: Depending on the age of the home, there could be remnants of obsolete technology hanging around your home from the dial up and satellite dish days. Dispose of extra phone cables, surround sound wiring, and old speakers that are no longer in use. Remove phone jack wall plates and keypads from long-obsolete security systems. While you’re at it, add labels to any wires in use for easy access.

Doors

Doors come in a variety of materials and can be customized to fit your home's needs. Take inventory of your doors and make note of any repairs they might need.

The following are door projects to consider:

• Replace hardware: Over time, doors can become saggy or warped. Replacing the hardware is a great way to improve the functionality of your existing doors. New hinges, knobs, and locks will have your doors working and looking better.
• Personalize: If you’ve been thinking of ways to make your doors more appealing, now could be the time to add molding and paint to create more dimension.
• Install new doors: Depending on the door, it might just be easier to replace a door and its hardware instead of repairing it. Think about the function of the room: Would a sliding pocket door give you more space and flexibility? Or are you ready to create a whole new aesthetic and add French doors to your office for more light?

Insulation

Insulation is usually found in the attic, crawl spaces, and between ceiling joists and can be blown loose or installed in long bats. Because it's cold outside, winter is the perfect time to look for drafty areas of your home and insulate them.

If your home has a chimney or fireplace, make sure the dampers are working properly. The best way to avoid major repair costs when it comes to a fireplace, is good chimney maintenance. Search your local area for a chimney sweep service you can schedule to maintain your chimney and ensure your dampers are working.  

The largest areas of concern when it comes to insulation are the roof and the attic. Heat rises and escapes through inadequate insulation. By properly insulating your home, you can save a significant amount of money each year on utility costs to heat and cool your home.

Some other areas to consider when adding insulating:

• Window cracks and seals
• Light fixtures and recessed Lighting
• Exhaust fans
• Surrounding duct work
• Electrical outlets

It’s a great idea to reach out to a contractor who can perform a home energy audit. They can pinpoint areas in your home that are poorly insulated and provide other helpful services to ensure your home's energy-efficiency.

Painting And Staining

You can really go for the gold when painting your home. Painting might not seem extreme, but a good prep and paint project can be pretty involved. Many of us live in older homes with painted-over trim and vent covers. Instead of just painting an accent wall, really dig in. Take the time to scrape and remove layers of old paint to reveal the natural wood grain of your handrail, for instance.

If you live in an older or historic home, it’s likely you chose it for its charm and whimsy. Decorative doorknobs and staircase spindles take on new life when they’re stripped and repaired to their original grandeur.

Laundry Upgrade

Laundry rooms aren’t the most fun places to hang out in, but they are important in making daily life manageable. If your laundry area is located in the basement, maybe it's time to consider moving it to the first floor. Laundry areas don’t require a lot of space and can often fit in existing closet spaces. Consult with your contractor about running water and electricity to the location you have in mind.

Add a few shelves and a coat of paint to brighten up the space and you’ve got yourself a first-floor laundry room. If you’re feeling extra ambitious you could add crown molding, wallpaper, and decor to make the space feel bright and uplifting.

5 Exterior Home Improvements

We’ve talked about interior improvements to get warmed up. Now we’ll discuss extreme exterior home improvement projects that you’ll need to bundle up for.

Roof Repairs 

Your roof is a pretty big part of your home’s curb appeal. While a full roof tear-off and repair might not be ideal in the winter, general maintenance and repairs can easily be done on a good day.

Missing or faded shingles can make your roof look older than it is. If your roof has a warranty, damages from normal wear and tear may be covered by your policy. Call the warranty provider to discuss your concerns and inquire about how to request service and if there is a service fee. If your repairs are covered, you will likely only need to pay the service fee.

If your roof is older and out of warranty, having a qualified roof inspector evaluate its current condition will help you decide what steps to take next in your roof’s long-term improvement plans. Roofing inspectors and Roofers are busy year-round but you’ll have more availability and flexibility when you schedule your inspection in winter.

Gutter Maintenance 

Whenever it rains, snows or sleets, your home’s gutters can become clogged with debris and ice. When gutters are obstructed, ice dams and icicles begin to form and block the flow of water from traveling away from your home. A thorough cleaning on a sunny winter day may have your neighbors staring at you from their kitchen window but you can rest easy knowing your gutters can do their job.

If you’re really motivated, consider installing heat tape in your gutters to prevent ice damming. Heat tape isn’t actual adhesive tape, it’s a thin electrical cable with a built-in thermostat. Self-adjusting heat tape systems measure ambient temperature and adjust their temperature accordingly. When outside temperatures fall below freezing, the tape temperature rises to melt ice and clear a pathway; when the outside temperature is above freezing, the cable turns off automatically.

Exterior Doors

We don’t give much thought to doors until someone leaves the front door wide open in January. Like interior doors, over time our exterior doors can become worn out and difficult to close or even lock.

Your front door is a big part of your home’s curb appeal. A fresh coat of paint and simple decor can make your home more inviting, but if you need more than a pop of color, consider a new door. Over time a door’s insulation and hardware becomes worn and less effective.

There are a lot of options to consider when choosing a new exterior door. You can choose from materials like wood, metal and fiberglass. Other options like window cut-outs, side lights, and paneling all depend on the location of the door and the type of door frame that you have. Because exterior doors are exposed to the elements, your door should have proper insulation and no gaps when installed.

Upgrading exterior doors can help deter thieves as well. A brand-new front door with a smart doorbell and motion sensor porch lights will let everyone know you’re always watching who’s at your doorstep.

Garage Doors

As garage door systems age, they can start to open and shut slowly, allowing cold air and pests access to your home. Greasing the garage door tracks will help your garage door operate smoothly, reduce garage opening noise, and limit the amount of cold air rushing into the core of your home. 

If you’re spending more money than you care to admit keeping your garage door opening and closing, maybe it’s time to install a new one. Garage doors come in a variety of materials. Most of today’s doors are made from multiple layers of galvanized steel, vinyl, or composite wrapped around foam insulation. Newer doors can improve the insulation of your garage, which can be a real benefit for rooms located above the garage that might be cold or drafty from poor insulation. 

If you want to take your garage improvement over the top, install a smart garage door opener system. If you’ve ever come home to see your garage door open, then this might be the easiest purchase you’ll ever make for your home. Smart garage door openers can open and close your garage door remotely. Some of the more robust models have cameras and temperature controls, and can be integrated into your existing smart home management devices.

Siding Upgrade

Like the insulation on the inside of your home, siding is like a warm hug that keeps the frigid temps from creeping in. Siding can eventually become loose and less effective at keeping cold air and pests out of your home. Vinyl siding can become brittle and is easily chipped or dented. Vinyl siding can be repaired, and its color can fade. If you have a small area that needs attention, you may be able to match the color close enough to the rest of the home to make the repair.

Maybe it’s time for a completely new look. After all we’ve been through, we don’t blame you. Traditional siding used to come in a variety of shades of beige but not anymore. Visit your local home improvement store and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the variety of materials, colors, and textures you can choose from.

Below are some of the most popular types of siding available in today’s market:

• Vinyl
• Fiber cement
• Wood
• Metal
• Engineered wood
• Brick veneer

Depending on your home’s location, some materials might perform better than others over time. Your siding expert will help guide you through the materials that are better suited for your home’s location and needs.

Landscaping

Winter is a great time for garden planning and tree trimming. During colder months, trees and shrubs are leafless and dormant, making it easier to trim them intelligently. Cutting down trees can kick up a lot of dust, pollen, and debris. This is more manageable with less foliage to deal with in the winter.

If your yard is missing a focal point, winter is a good time to think about hardscapes you might want to incorporate into your landscape design to make it top notch. If you love to entertain at home, consider building a fire pit that can keep you toasty while you toast with friends. Building onto your existing deck or patio with a pergola or awning will step up your outdoor entertainment game as well.

Want to really kick it into high gear? Build a backyard ice rink. Gone are the days of using a garden hose and tarps – backyard ice rinks have come a long way. Home hockey rink kits are available with railing supports, ice liners, and other accessories to make it feel like you’re skating on Olympic ice!

Bottom Line: Make Winter Work For You

Home renovation and remodeling aren’t easy any time of year – certainly not during the winter. It takes patience, planning, and the mental fortitude to press on when it feels like the finish line is nowhere in sight. If you’re ready to hit the slopes of home renovation this winter, learn more from our homeowner guide.