Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

In April during the Day 2 keynote, Joe Belfiore showed off a new feature coming to Windows 10 this fall called Windows Timeline.

The premise behind this service was to tie multiple devices, including iOS and Android handsets, into the same ecosystem as your Windows 10 device using the same Microsoft Account and then provide the ability to pickup on various tasks across your devices.

Here is a screenshot that was shared during that keynote of the feature in use on the Windows 10 desktop:

In the Windows 10 Creators Update, which was released back in April, we can see just a small sample of this experience with the pick up where you left off feature between your various Windows 10 devices and the Action Center.

This entry is triggered if you leave one Windows 10 devices and log into another one within 30 minutes.

Windows Timeline in the Fall Creators Update will of course be much more robust than this based on the demo at Build however, there is an app that you could start using today on your Windows 10 devices - including Windows 10 Mobile - to share more than just the websites that are shared in the example above.

Connected Devices, formerly known as Share Across Devices, is a Universal Windows Platform (UWP) app that allows you to easily share files and links with other Windows 10 devices. They key is that these devices must use the same Microsoft Account in order to facilitate the sharing process.

Here are the features as described by the apps author Steven Countryman aka Simplisidy:

-- With this app, you can share any web link, text, or file from any app to any other Windows 10 Anniversary device that you own. This incudes: Windows 10 desktops, laptops, tablets, phones, Xbox One, and Hololens.

-- Share text instantly to your Windows 10 or Windows 10 mobile devices and have it automatically copied to the target device's clipboard

-- Share urls instantly to any of your Windows 10 devices and have them automatically open in the target device's default browser

-- Share youtube videos instantly to any of your Windows 10 devices have them automatically open in your favorite YouTube apps like myTube and TubeCast

-- Share a single file or multiple files at once to your Windows 10 or Windows 10 mobile devices over local wireless or wired networks that are not blocked by firewalls

So as you can see the key limitation is that the devices must be on the same wired/wireless network in order for sharing to work. Although I can not fully test this today since I am on a work trip and only have one device with me, I also suspect those other devices will need to be turned on to open the app to receive the shared file.

While this is certainly no replacement for the features shown off for Windows Timeline, if you work in an environment where you bounce between Windows 10 based systems in the course of your work, then this could be a very fast way to move content between devices.

This app is also being actively developed by Countryman as you can see from the recent release notes - he is already taken advantage of the new Fluent Design language for elements of his UI:

-- Overhauled file transfer UI for sending and receiving. -- Tweaked UI specially for Creator's Update users on desktop, when receiving text or files, the app now moves into PiP mode and floats in the top right portion of the screen until the user has saved or opened the file or canceled the transfer. -- Desktop users can now also drag and drop files into the app window to share with other devices. -- New name! The app has been renamed from "Share Across Devices" to "Connected Devices" for clarity and consistency. -- New tile icon! -- Added Fluent Design Acrylic to the desktop app for Creator's Update users. -- Added sorting to the devices list so they are now sorted by type then name rather than random. -- Added new initial-landing-page look telling the user to select a device. -- You can also now launch the device selector by clicking on current device window. -- Added ability to favorite devices so they will always be at the top of the list. -- Added ability to rename devices (nicknames) for better readability. -- Enabled ability to attempt file sharing for all devices, even if firewalls are in the way. Will still fail, but now it's your choice. -- UI overhaul to use accent colors throughout the app and tile.

I am really excited about giving this app a real workout once I am back on my home network.

Let us know if you try this and how it works out.

Check out the gallery of screenshots to see what the UI looks like on my local device. The names of other devices I sign into with the same Microsoft Account were already populated in the app first time I ran it on this system.

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But, wait...there's probably more so be sure to follow me on Twitter and Google+.

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Connected Devices UWP App Allows You To Share Content Across Windows 10 Devices - SuperSite for Windows

Its easy to leap to categorizing new products like Apples iPad Pro 10.5 as either revolutionary or evolutionary. Do they break new, uncharted ground, or are they last years flagship, polished and refined for another attempt? At first glance, the iPad Pro 10.5s familiar shape makes it easy to conclude evolution, but Im not so sure.

If anything, that familiarity does the iPad Pro 10.5 no favors. Certainly, the brushed metal casing with its chamfered, polished edges may not stray too far from last years 9.7-inch model, but in reality almost everything is different. New processor, new display, new physical size, new cameras, new hardware controls, new ports, and more.

Question is, does that all add up to an instant-upgrade for existing iPad owners, and does it make the new iPad Pro 10.5 the tablet-to-have?

Bookmark this page, safely turn off your phone or laptop, and head down to the nearest Apple Store. Theres really no other way to fully grasp how incredible the 10.5-inch display on the new iPad Pro looks. Seeing is believing may be a cliche, but were just going to have to push through our discomfort of that, because honestly, this time around its true.

Back from the store? Great. Now lets talk about what Apple has done. The branding because you knew thered be fancy branding, didnt you is ProMotion, but its basically describing a 120Hz refresh rate. If youre not a display tech person, that means the speed at which the display updates its pixels.

Typical displays clock in at 30Hz or 60Hz, which make the ProMotion panel on the new iPad Pro twice as fast. Its no marketing ploy, either. Scroll fast, and unlike with the smeary blur of most touchscreens, you can actually read the text go past on the iPad Pro 10.5. Panning and zooming has a smooth creaminess that reminds you of those early days of multitouch, when the sensation of pinching on a glass capacitive display was so jaw-dropingly fresh.

Factor in the Apple Pencil, and the results are even clearer. The hardware of Apples $99 stylus is unchanged, but the digital ink keeps up far better on-screen than it did before. Apple claims its down to 20ms latency now: the pen-ink system was always this good, but the display technology has caught up to help actually show that.

Everything else changed is the metaphorical gravy on top of ProMotion. With size up from 9.7-inches, Apple threw more pixels at the iPad Pro 10.5 rather than just making them larger. Resolution is now 2224 x 1668, while brightness has increased to an eminently outdoor-usable 600 nits. If iOS spots youre doing something which doesnt require 120Hz itll automatically scale down the refresh rate, saving battery in the process.

True Tone, which adjusts color temperature in a way so subtle as to be almost imperceivable until, that is, you turn it off is still present, and its talents are donated to the also-updated iPad Pro 12.9. You still get an anti-reflective coating to avoid distracting glare.

The iPad has never really been known for its waif-like screen bezels, but that changes with the iPad Pro 10.5. Indeed, despite the significant increase in display, its physically only a little larger than the 9.7-inch version it replaces. Weight is still just over a pound.

The chassis itself is the same, high-quality aluminum and glass weve come to expect. Touch ID has been upgraded to use Apples second-generation fingerprint sensor technology. I cant say I noticed a particular speed increase over the old version, but I did spot the fact that Apple is still using a physical home button rather than the pressure-sensitive pad of the iPhone 7.

What the iPad Pro 10.5 does get from Apples smartphone is its cameras. On the back that means 12-megapixels with an f/1.8 aperture lens, up to 5x digital zoom, and optical image stabilization. The front camera is a 7-megapixel FaceTime HD, with f/2.2 lens and 1080p video recording.

The world is split into those who dont see why you shouldnt take photos with your tablet, and those who believe it to be the height of barbarity. If youre in the latter camp, you might resent the newly-protruding bulge that has been introduced to accommodate the higher-quality rear camera.

Last years iPad Pro was fast. 2017s iPad Pro is even faster. You can credit a few things for that, but primarily its the new Apple A10X Fusion chipset, and the 4GB of RAM its paired with.

Its tough to argue with the idea that getting into building its own mobile chips was one of the best ideas Apple has had in recent memory. The A10X Fusion is a hexacore, designed with both performance and frugality in mind. On the one hand, you have three low-power cores which can crunch more humble tasks while sipping battery power. On the other, you have a trio of potent cores for when you need maximum performance.

The results are astonishing. Synthetic benchmarks may be the tech industrys equivalent of locker room bragging, but the iPad Pro 10.5 has nothing to be ashamed of there. In Geekbench, for instance a popular test of processor and memory performance it delivered a single-core result of almost 4k. The multi-core score in the same test was over 9,300. Theyre numbers which put full, proper laptops to shame, and which allow for high-performance apps with desktop-levels of photo and video processing.

Thats entirely intentional, of course, since Apple wants you to retire your regular laptop in favor of the iPad Pro 10.5. For 2017, 64GB is now the minimum storage tier, and you can ramp all the way up to 512GB if your budget permits. The Lightning port now supports USB 3.0 speeds, while the optional LTE configuration comes with an LTE Advanced modem capable of up to 450Mbps downloads, network depending. All this while still offering 8-9 hours of practical battery life under mixed use, in my testing.

The delta between what would traditionally have been dismissed as a mere tablet and whats a proper laptop alternative is narrowing. Thats not to say the math behind Apples equation is going to be right for everyone.

The 10.5-inch display does allow for what Apple is calling a full-sized on-screen keyboard. Of course, most people wanting to segue from a traditional laptop will still expect a physical keyboard. That likely means Apples own $159 Smart Keyboard.

Its changed a little over the previous version for the 9.7-inch tablet, not least by the frustrating fact that the old Smart Keyboard wont quite fit properly. If youre upgrading, youll need to budget for the new one.

You do get more for your money than just a larger design, mind. The key layout is larger, just like its on-screen counterpart, which does make typing a little less cramped. Apples keys still arent quite as touch-typist-friendly as a regular board, but theyre clickier and more tactile on this new model than before.

What it still wont do is cover the back of your iPad Pro. For that, you either need a third-party keyboard case, or Apples new leather sleeve. You can just about squeeze in the iPad Pro 10.5 with the Smart Keyboard in place, while theres a useful slot for the Apple Pencil too. Its not cheap, mind: youre looking at another $129.

Meanwhile, with only a single Lightning port, youre looking at dongles if you want to add further wired connectivity. Apple offers an SD card reader, for instance, as well as a USB adapter, both of which support USB 3.0 speeds. Youre looking at either $29 or $39 for them.

If youve been keeping track, it means that the cheapest iPad Pro 10.5 setup with keyboard, stylus, and the entry-level 64GB tablet with WiFi-only, will set you back $907. If you want to max out storage and add in LTE, that means $1,079 for the tablet alone. Were right in premium laptop territory.

The iPad Pro 10.5 runs iOS 10.3.2 out of the box, but its hard to escape the feeling that its a stopgap. The real drama will occur when iOS 11 arrives, sometime this summer.

To say the new iPad Pro was designed with iOS 11s talents in mind is an understatement. While the current version of Apples mobile platform may have made steps toward mainstream, desktop computing paradigms like split-window and multitasking, iOS 11 builds on those with the flexibility of drag & drop, and a much enhanced windowed multitasking system. Problem is, iOS 11 isnt ready yet.

From my early experience with iOS 11, its worth the wait. The new Dock, which can be summoned on every screen and expands to accommodate recently-opened apps, is far more conducive to jumping between projects. So, too, is the new App Switcher, which can preserve things like split-screen multi-app states.

Drag & Drop is so cleanly implement, you wonder why it hasnt been a feature for years; so, too, the Files app with its cloud sync support for services like Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, and OneDrive. The iPad Pro will intelligently choose which files to pull down local copies of and which to leave in the cloud, while cross-service search will pull in results from every local and cloud location youre logged into. Youll even be able to make folders of documents from mixed sources.

Factor in an Apple Pencil, and youll get search support for your handwritten notes, and the ability to begin note-taking directly from the iOS lock-screen. With the stylus, youll be able to slot handwritten text and drawings directly in-line within emails, too.

I cant argue with Apples hardware. The iPad Pro 10.5 ticks all the right boxes: it has the superlative display, a processor that comfortably out-performs the needs of any app in the App Store right now, and all bundled into a sleek and long-lasting aluminum and glass slice.

Problem is, right now the software doesnt live up to that hardware. Once youve had a sniff of iOS 11 on iPad, anything before it just seems half-baked if you really want to replace your laptop. The upside is that iOS 11 will arrive relatively soon, and be a free upgrade.

That still leaves a big decision to make, and its one which remains whether you go the early-adopter route or wait until the new iOS versions release day bugs have been ironed out. The iPad Pro 10.5 is not a cheap tablet. When you factor in the accessories youre almost certain to want, it gets even more expensive. Too much, Id argue, to be justified away as a companion device to a laptop.

In short, for most people this needs to be your everyday machine if its to make financial sense. Apple is clearly targeting photo and video pros on the one hand, who will find new apps like Affinity Photo that put the A10X Fusions potency to work; the others will presumably be the same document editing, email triaging, web browsing users who dont want the hassle or complexity of a Windows 10 or macOS machine. For the latter cohort, the iPad Pro 10.5s power and price are probably overkill, but I wouldnt blame you for succumbing to its charms when you see the ProMotion display.

Read more from the original source:
iPad Pro 10.5 Review (2017): Half the laptop-replacement story - SlashGear

Some students in the Campbell Union High School District may soon be more comfortable in class during hot summersand chilly winters.

The district has reached the halfway mark in revamping the heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems at its five high schools.

The issue with the systems came to a head in September 2015, when the district ended two school days earlydue to scorching temperatures that were expected to reach at least 100 degrees both inside and outside the classroom.

Since then the district has been working to update heating and cooling in classrooms and other teaching facilities like gymnasiums.Most of the schools were built in the early to mid-1960s with no air conditioning or had antiquated systems, according to the district.

All schools will have new systems by May next year, according toNancy Torres Pfeiffer, the assistant superintendent of business services.

The project has been split into two phases. The first phase from May to November last year saw heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems upgraded at Del Mar, Leigh and Branham high schools. As of now, only 30 percent of Branhams classrooms and instructional spaces have working air conditioning. The other 70 percent are being assessed since the campus relies on three different outdated systems.

We have received positive feedback from teachers at Branham,Torres Pfeiffer said of the first round of upgrades.

The second phase began in November and focuses on installing heating, ventilation and air conditioning units at Prospect, Westmont and the remaining classrooms at Branham.The units are not like those found in homes, they are considered industrial,according to Pfeiffer

Some of the work will start during the summer, Torres Pfeiffer said, and will continue into the school year and bedone after school hours.

Torres Pfeiffer said each school site is at a different stage of progress. Prospect and Branhman pose the greatest challenges due to the age and complexity of their systems. Prospects units will need the most work at a cost of approximately $3.8 million, Torres Pfeiffer said.

She said the districts goal is to get a majority of work done at Prospectfirstand roll out a schedule for the remaining school sites to reach completion by May.

The district will also install LED bulbs in multipurpose rooms and outside gyms as a way cut energy costs.

The projects costs are not final, but Torres estimates $18 million total.

Funding comes from Measure AA, a bond measure approved by voters in November, as well as borrowed money, according to Torres Pfeiffer.

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Campbell high schools will have new heating, AC systems next year - The Mercury News

BROWNSVILLE - Located at 1900 North Expressway, Suite O, Brightwood College in Brownsville is one of three Brightwood College campuses celebrating Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Technician Day June 22. This day celebrates the more than 300,000 certified technicians who inspect, service and install HVACR systems in the United States.

The HVACR diploma program at Brightwood College is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to safely install, troubleshoot and repair equipment used in the home and in light commercial industry settings. This program also includes preparation for the following certification examinations: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification, Industry Competency Exams (ICE) and North American Technician Excellence (NATE) certification. Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to isolate malfunctions in heating, air conditioning, heat pump and refrigeration systems, as well as design, fabricate and install ductwork to provide proper airflow in heating and cooling systems, among other skills. The Brightwood College Career Development team will help students in this program to develop job-search skills and open doors to employment.

Brightwood College in Brownsville is committed to ensuring the economic growth of our community by taking students and producing outstanding employees, says Campus President Colin Ellis. We are grateful for the robust partnerships we have with employers who value the skills of the graduates we provide for our local job market.

A qualified HVACR technician can help homeowners and businesses choose the right energy-efficient heating and cooling system and provide regular maintenance to keep it running at peak efficiency. HVACR technicians work in extremely hot conditions in the summer, numbingly cold conditions in the winter and often in cramped spaces, but their work is critical to homeowners and businesses. These professionals provide practical benefits, helping people to save on energy bills, reduce carbon footprint and keep a home or office comfortable throughout the year.

Completion of the HVACR training at Brightwood College can take as little as 48 weeks. Students who receive their HVACR diploma can pursue careers as HVACR technicians, HVACR installer/repair technicians or small appliance technicians. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics 2015 wage data and 2014-2024 employment projections, jobs in this area are projected to grow an average of 14 percent.

Click here for more information about the HVACR Technician program. To learn more about Brightwood College in Brownsville, call (956) 547-8200 or visit http://www.brightwood.edu/brownsville.

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Brightwood College in Brownsville Celebrates National HVACR Technician Day June 22 - KRGV

Minnesota State Community and Technical College Commercial Refrigeration instructor Travis DeJong went swimming with the sharks this spring and came away with $22,700 to help train his students in the latest refrigeration industry technology.

With the support of Carrie Ward, dean of technical programs on M States Moorhead campus, DeJong applied for a Shark Tank Innovation Fund grant to pay for installation of state-of-the-art commercial refrigeration equipment in his programs lab.

The Innovation Fund, a project of the Minnesota State system, is designed to reward innovative teaching at Minnesotas 54 two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

In his pitch to an Innovation Fund panel, DeJong explained that most supermarkets and warehouses today use a rack system that utilizes a single computer to control nearly all their operations from refrigeration cooling units to lights in the parking lot.

With nearly $100,000 worth of computerized rack system equipment already donated by his programs business partners, DeJong requested the Innovation Fund grant to pay for the professional installation of the system in his M State refrigeration lab, along with training and curriculum-writing costs.

He said the new equipment means M State students will have the opportunity to physically work on the equipment used in the marketplace today. Currently students are able to go out to industry sites and see the technology in use, but theyre not able to touch, install or operate it.

The programs business partners will also benefit, DeJong added, since M State will be providing them with a workforce thats already trained in cutting-edge technology.

Currently, few certified refrigeration technicians know and understand this technology, DeJong said in his grant application. Students in our technical programs should be working on the equipment that business and industry use every day.

Installation of the new refrigeration equipment will begin in the Commercial Refrigeration lab on M States Moorhead campus during the summer.

The one-year Commercial Refrigeration program is designed as a second year of specialized training for graduates of M States Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration program and for refrigeration technicians who have previous industry experience.

DeJong said business partner support for the program has been strong in part because of an anticipated labor shortage in the industry both in the Fargo Moorhead area and nationally; industry projections warn there will not be enough trained technicians to replace the 300,000 who are expected to retire in the next five years.

According to labor outlook projections, regional employment among heating and air conditioning mechanics and installers is expected to increase by 5.1 percent over the next four years.

DeJongs grant application was one of 10 winning proposals for Shark Tank Innovation Funding announced in May. Competitors for the funding had to present their ideas to a panelist of educators, legislators and business community members. In making the award, the review committee said M State provided a compelling market analysis of potential job opportunities for students in the Commercial Refrigeration program.

The rest is here:
Commercial Refrigeration awarded $22700 in 'Shark Tank' funds - M State News

Silver Spring, MD - Mega Kitchen and Bath remodeling in Maryland offers quality remodeling services for owners of both commercial and residential properties. With customer service serving as one of the companys highest priorities, customers investing in their remodeling services can expect a process that is quick, easy, and convenient to meet their needs.

Many home and commercial property owners explore Maryland kitchen remodel options hoping to find a company that will be able to provide quality service with their individual needs as a customer in mind. Not every person looking to invest in remodeling has the same style preference, or meets a one-size-fits-all mold with their property size dimensions, which can impact how the remodeling process proceeds. Similarly, the quality of service customers can find for bathroom remodel in Maryland can vary widely, and it is often difficult to find a company that dedicates itself to making their customers feel valued and heard as active collaborators in their home improvement remodeling.

Mega Kitchen and Bath offer remodeling services with both style and customer service in mind, ensuring that any customers uncertainty or indecisiveness can be dispelled. Valuing both traditional and modern styles, the company provides their remodeling services according to the preferred taste and preferences of the everyday customer. The innovative technologies and high quality materials utilized by the company further work to provide both quick and easy service designed to ensure the utmost customer satisfaction.

The services offered by the Maryland remodeling company include those general for kitchens and bathrooms, as well as remodeling services for basements, roofing, windows, countertops, and flooring. With custom home improvement options available, the company team strives to ensure that customers feel that they are active collaborators in the remodeling process. Additionally, the experts make themselves available to answer any questions or concerns from customers, informing them of all available style options they may wish to choose from to receive the kitchen or bathroom that best fits their vision.

We work hard for our customers to make sure they are fully satisfied with the service we provide, says the company spokesperson. We believe they deserve to have a voice in the remodeling process, and we have a variety of custom options available to make sure they get the results they want.

Offering kitchen and bath services in many different styles to fit individualized customer preferences, Mega Kitchen and Bath are gaining rave reviews in the community for their quality remodeling for a wide variety of home and commercial improvement projects.

Media Contact Company Name: Mega Kitchen and Bath Contact Person: Ibrahim Zirekoglu Email: megakitchenandbath@gmail.com Phone: 301-933-5070 City: Silver Spring State: MD 20902 Country: United States Website: http://www.megakitchenandbath.com/

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Remodel The Kitchen This Season Quickly and Easily - Digital Journal

Quartz

Long before iPhones, this 19th-century gadget made everyone a mobile addict Quartz In addition to the society's annual convention, this group of vendors, artists, and collectors swap stories and techniques, and buy each other's work. ... In her home, scopes could be found everywhere from the dining room table to the Jacuzzi. I like ...

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Long before iPhones, this 19th-century gadget made everyone a mobile addict - Quartz

Resources | Blog | Additions | Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition above a Garage

Bob Benedict | January 8, 2016

A second story room addition above an existing garage can make a substantial change to your current homes curb appeal and of course create an increase to your living space. However, like all remodeling projects, adding a second story addition has a broad range of complexity and challenges.

Despite the overall complexity, one of the simplest second story additions is to add new living space above an existing garage. Most 2-car garages in our area are roughly 440 to 500 square feet. Adding this much space is enough for a really nice master suite, or a couple of kids bedrooms plus full bathroom or a bedroom, bathroom and nice laundry room or some combination of these rooms.

Before 2nd Story above garage

Here are some of the challenges to adding a second story addition above the garage:

1) One of the more obvious challenges is aligning the new floor above the garage with the existing second floor of the house.

This can be very challenging and typically involves shortening or increasing the height of the existing garage walls and changes to the existing door and window headers so that the new and old floors align correctly.

2) Blending the new exterior to the existing so that the addition cannot be detected can be challenging from a fit and finish perspective, and from an aesthetic perspective.

2nd Story Addition Above Garage

Many times the exterior finish of the garage and main house may be more than 20+ years old. The difficulty is finding siding, shingles, brick or stone to match the existing house so the addition can be clad with an exterior that matches or complements the existing house. A garage is a large structure, so the architect/designer needs to be careful to not draw attention away from the main house when adding the additional mass of a second story on top of a garage.

3) Building a stiff floor with the long spans of the garage below.

Garages are typically 20 to 24 from front to back and side to side. These long open spans can make it difficult to build a stiff floor. Designing a floor system to support the people and rooms above and not interfere with car parking below can be difficult. The floor needs stiff enough so it complies with the code, does not bounce, and tiles dont crack. The thicker the floor system the less bounce and the fewer posts needed in the garage. The challenge is to keep the new floor from interfering with the garage door as it opens, and to align with the existing second floor.

4) Creating a balanced heating and cooling of the new space.

Balanced heating and cooling of the new space is critical, and can be challenging. Comfort of the occupants, energy efficiency, and protecting pipes from freezing is the heating and cooling systems job. Most HVAC systems in our area are in the center of basements which renders them ineffective and inefficient in providing adequate heating and cooling above a garage. Some sort of additional system design is almost always required. The good news here is that there are many very good options available to accomplish this task. Tip: The cost of spray foam insulation has come down quite a bit over the past couple years. At a minimum, consider spending a few extra dollars to have the floor above the garage spray foam insulated. This will help reduce the HVAC load and increase comfort.

2nd Story Addition Above Garage Completed

Before addition above garage

5) Creating a smooth flowing transition from the existing interior living space to the new space above the garage.

Transitioning from the existing living space to the new space above the garage can be very challenging. Sometimes space in an existing bedroom or even a bathroom has to be sacrificed to create access into the new addition above the garage. Contrary to that scenario there are some homes that only require a minor change to the interior such as removing a closet at the end of a hall to access the new space.

6) Extending plumbing pipes and drains to a new bathroom or laundry room above a garage can be very challenging and can have a significant impact on other areas of the existing house.

The location of the existing house waste water drain can substantially increase complexity. If the existing drain connection is in the middle of the house, you may incur significant drywall damage, framing reconfiguration, cabinet removal or even duct relocation to extend the new drain to the existing.

The challenges of adding a second story addition above a garage can be substantial, but if you have the right house, in the right neighborhood, and need more space; this is one way to gain the space.

What does it cost to add a room above the garage? As with all remodeling projects, when it comes to cost, the key phrase is It Depends. It depends on the number of challenges, the difficulty of the challenges, the level of fit and finish, and how much the space the project impacts other parts of your home.

So- very roughly- an easy to execute, simple fit and finish, basic addition above a garage could be as low as $275 per square foot. This assumes that all the stars align. If you are thinking about this type project I would start at $300+ per square foot because star alignment is a rare occurrence.

Thanks for reading our blog. I hope the content is valuable.. Please feel free to comment or leave questions via the links below

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Challenges of Adding a Second Story Addition above a ...

Hooks third baseman J.D Davis prepares to bat in the third inning against the Midland RockHounds on April, 24, 2017, at Whataburger Field(Photo: Charlie Blalock/Corpus Christi)

If there is one thing Ive learned covering minor league baseball off and on for more than a decade, it's that the goal is to develop players. But within that development is winning.

A minor league teams manager and its coaches want to see a player get better to ultimately earn that promotion but also they like to see how a player reacts in crucial situations. It could be a game in April or late August, but a players desire to win is something that is measured when managers and coaches talk to those in the front office.

Last week marked the first time in two seasons the Hooks had not won a Texas League South Division first half title. And with as successful as Rodney Linares has been here as manager and at other minor league stops in the Houston Astros system, Im sure he was frustrated.

The first half featured some frustrating moments for the hometown team, including a 10-game losing streak that ultimately kept the Hooks from having a shot at that title.

But the beauty of the minor leagues is that there is a second half. Player development will again be the primary focus, but it will be interesting to see how this team pushes over the final two-and-half months of the season to keep the Hooks playoff streak intact.

Hooks' Drew Ferguson celebrates with teammates after scoring against Arkansas on Saturday, April 15, 2017, at Whataburger Field in Corpus Christi.(Photo: Gabe Hernandez/Caller-Times)

TEXAS LEAGUE SCHEDULING

This might be a little too inside baseball but it might be time for the Texas League to work on its schedule. Late in May and earlier this month, the Hooks had two extended road trips one to Springfield and Tulsa and this past weeks road trip in San Antonio and Midland sandwiched around a four-game homestand. Earlier this year they had two eight-game homestands surrounding a four-game road trip.

The Texas League is one of the tougher minor leagues when it comes to travel and it might be time to try to alleviate that.

In previous years, teams played five-game series. Naturally you want more games and series with teams in your division but I think it needs to be more balanced to where we see the North Division teams more instead of three games at a time. Currently each team plays 12 cross-division games against an opponent, six at home and six on the road. I think there could be more and it would help on the travel, especially.

Scheduling is hard but I think it would help the clubs in terms of promotions knowing they will be home for extended periods.

LOOKING TO THE SECOND HALF

The second half officially begins Tuesday and the Hooks have some momentum heading into it.

Here are a few things and players to watch:

Kyle Tucker and Jason Martin: The two recent call-ups have been solid additions for the Hooks over the last month and I expect both to continue to trend upward as the summer progresses.

Starting pitching: The Hooks have had some solid starting pitching this season only to struggle to score runs or to see the bullpen struggle to keep leads. But if pitchers can continue to go five, six, even seven innings, that helps the playoff chances and makes pitching coaches and the manager smile.

J.D. Davis promotion?: Davis has certainly shown that he is deserving of the call to Fresno. But a logjam in the infield in the Astros organization could make it difficult. He currently leads the league with 17 home runs and a .556 slugging percentage. With as much fun as he is to watch, it might be time for the third baseman to test his mettle in the Pacific Coast League.

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HAYWARD: Second half offers Hooks another playoff shot - Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Apparently Flyers General Manager Ron Hextall wasn't kidding around when he praised Scott Laughton's performance on the Lehigh Valley Phantoms last season.

Laughton, a 2012 first-round (20th overall) draft pick, watched his stock with the organization drop over the previous couple years.

But a steady effort in Allentown impressed Hextall enough to earn a bit of a surprise spot on the team's NHL expansion draft (Vegas Golden Knights) protected list, which was released Sunday morning.

Also protected (as expected) were forwards Claude Giroux, Jake Voracek, Wayne Simmonds, Sean Couturier, Brayden Schenn and Valtteri Filppula, along with defensemen Shayne Gostisbehere, Radko Gudas and Brandon Manning.

In what might be considered another mild surprise, the Flyers chose to protect rookie goalie Anthony Stolarz rather than veteran Michal Neuvirth, who signed a two-year, $5-million contract back in early March.

Also left unprotected: Forwards Jordan Weal (a potential unrestricted free agent) and alternate captain Pierre-Edouard Bellemare. On defense, Andrew MacDonald was not protected but his big contract makes it unlikely he will leave town.

It looks like the Flyers still believe Laughton can be an impact player someday in the NHL.

The 23-year-old center from Oakville, Ont. actually made it into a five-game trial with the Flyers way back in 2013. After a six-game stint with the Phantoms, he returned to his junior team (Oshawa Generals of OHL) for the 2013-14 campaign where he lit it up for 40 goals, 87 points in just 54 games.

He would play 102 games with the Flyers over the next two seasons but produced only seven goals in 71 games two seasons back and early this year was sent back to the Phantoms, where he produced 19 goals and 39 points in 60 games.

More importantly, his two-way game improved and he played a big part in getting the Phantoms to the Calder Cup playoffs for the first time since leaving Philadelphia nearly a decade ago.

Both Hextall and Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol have praised Laughton's work ethic. So maybe he really does have a future with the big team in Philadelphia.

Laughton played on a first line with Taylor Leier and Colin McDonald against the Hershey Bears in the first round of the playoffs (which the Phantoms lost).

"He had a terrific year," Hextall said of Laughton. "I can't say I'm surprised. I'm proud of Scott. In my mind, Scott's becoming a pro right now."

Laughton might have been a victim of too-high expectations.

Once nicknamed "Captain Canada" when he wore the "C'' for Team Canada in the World Juniors, Laughton was under a lot of pressure to score goals when he's really not a goal-scorer. He's more of a defensive type player.

He actually started last season with the Flyers but was sent down after just two games.

"He had a lot come at him early,'' Hextall said. "He comes up to the NHL, 'wow, one year in the minors, I'm in the NHL' and life's good.

"Maybe, a kid like that thinks he's got it made now. But he comes down here (to Allentown), he's done a really good job. He's become a better player, a better pro. I think he understands his skill set, he understands playing the whole sheet of the ice. I'm not sure he had that grasp.''

If he keeps improving, he could figure in the Flyers' future plans.

"It's just my confidence, it's a big part of my game,'' Laughton said during the Hershey series. "Just getting that back throughout the year, I think it took a little bit of time.

"This year has been good for me. I think I've taken a step forward.''

Meanwhile, any questions about the worth of Stolarz to the organization appear to have been answered.

The 23-year-old Edison, N.J., native by way of Jackson impressed in a brief trial with the Flyers this season while Neuvirth was hurt.

Stolarz, 6-foot-6, 210 pounds, was a 2012 second-round (45th overall) draft pick.

He went 2-1-1 with a 2.07 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, including a brilliant shutout of the Red Wings in Detroit.

He's currently sidelined with a foot injury which kept him out of the Hershey playoff series. But the Flyers thought enough of him (and perhaps are confident Vegas won't take Neuvirth) to keep him in their future plans.

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Laughton, Stolarz surprise additions to Flyers' protected list - Allentown Morning Call