Home Improvement Olympics: Which Projects Win the Gold?

The Olympics have long been the premiere place for the best athletes from around the world to come together, compete, and publicly represent their countries in sport. While every individual athlete competing in Beijing this year has worked hard to get to where he or she is, in the end, there are a few clear winners that stand above the others. In the home improvement industry, the competition is a little less intense, but when it comes to picking the right project for your home, identifying a "winner" can mean the difference between mediocre results and an improvement that's worth every penny.

Siding and Window Replacement: A Clear Winner
There are nearly as many Olympic contestants as there are home improvement projects, but only a few of them are good enough to get a medal. When it comes to your home, window replacement and siding replacement are two of the best performers out there, and each will make a big difference in how your home functions, as well as how it looks. The area of the country you live in will have some bearing on which windows and siding are right for you, but when the outside of your home looks good, it's truly a winning situation. If you are looking for something that will reduce energy bills, make your home more comfortable, and increase your property value, you can't go wrong with these top-of-the-line projects!

Get Silver Status with a Bathroom Remodel
There's no denying the popularity of bathroom remodeling with today's homeowners. Instead of the cramped spaces that bathrooms used to be (which, in many countries around the world, have rightfully earned the title 'water closet'), modern households tend to have spacious bathrooms that sometimes verge on luxurious. Old bathrooms are notorious not only for wasting water, but also for being places you'd rather escape from than relax in. To really finish well, check out the plentiful 'home spa' equipment on the market. With the right fixtures, your bathroom will be a brighter, more energy efficient, and all-around more pleasant place to be; when it's finished, you might find yourself spending more time in the water than Michael Phelps!

Go for the Gold by Upgrading Old Systems
Sometimes the biggest winners in the home improvement world aren't remodels, but upgrades to existing equipment. If your appliances, air conditioning, or furnace is older than a Chinese gymnast, there's a good chance that there's a new model on the market that will do a better job and consume less energy. Though these are not the flashiest projects in the world, an upgrade in one of these areas will bring more comfort and convenience to your home, as well as reduce your energy bills.

Keep Looking Forward
One of the biggest themes of this year's Olympics is the huge amount of talent that will still be eligible four years from now. Just as Michael Phelps, Usain Bolt, and Shawn Johnson are concerned not just with their current performances, but their performances in the future, homeowners should also remodel not just for today, but for tomorrow, too. Part of this is, of course, making sure that the wiring, plumbing, and other technical aspects you alter bring your home not just up to date, but ready for the future. Just as important, however, is to look at your remodeling objectively to make sure that the work you do will not just please you, but will be a selling point for prospective homebuyers in the future. While that basement racquetball court might be a nice addition for you, if you sell in the future, the amount of racquetball enthusiasts is pretty slim compared to the number of people who might appreciate a well designed living space!