Moving to a bigger property can be an expensive, arduous process and upsetting if you love your current home. If you need more living space, you could instead try adding to your existing property.

There are various ways to extend your house. Here, we run through the extension types and offer advice on where to start with home improvement projects including garage conversions and extensions, front porches and expanding into the basement.

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If youre not using your garage to store a car, why not get the most out of it and create a new room?

As the foundations are already there, its often a much cheaper way to create more space.

Plus, garage conversions mean you won't lose any garden space like you would with a standard extension.

Plus, once it's a functioning room it's less likely than a garage to get turned into a storage room that gets increasingly filled with stuff.

First, consult an estate agent about whether converting your garage could negatively impact your property's value. If you'll be living in your home for years to come, it may well be worth going ahead anyway, whatever they say, but if garages are highly sought-after in your area, think carefully before converting yours.

Before you start work on the conversion, consider what youll do with everything currently kept in the garage. If you store a lot of garden gear and bikes in it, you may need to factor a shed into your plans. If its where you keep your large spare freezer, youll need to work out where it can be moved to or whether you can live without it.

If you really have no room anywhere else for these things, perhaps a partial garage conversion (or a conversion that has lots of storage space set aside within it) will work better for you.

A garage conversion is one of the speediest and most affordable routes to adding extra space to your home. Plus, you won't need to move out while works are happening. If its integrated or attached, the garage should be fairly easy to work into the main house.

If your garage is detached from the main property, you might need to apply for planning permission. In some circumstances it may be better to create a separate building that links back to the original structure, perhaps via a glazed corridor. This kind of approach can work especially well for heritage homes, where the planners may be keen on the idea of creating a distinct new zone subservient to the main house. A detached structure lends itself to segregated uses, such as an annex or quiet home office.

Garage conversion costs are significantly lower than those associated with an extension because you will save money on laying new foundations and building new walls.

Your garage may also have power and perhaps even plumbing already, both of which will reduce your garage conversion cost even more.

Head to our extensions costs page to unlock pricing data for extensions from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database

With many garage conversions particularly attached and integral spaces most of the work is internal (with the exception of changing the frontage and adding a window or two). This is likely to be considered permitted development, so it wont usually need formal planning consent. But check with your local authority before you begin.

However, if you live in a conservation area or listed building, you will almost certainly need planning permission and potentially also listed building consent.

It is also worth checking for any planning conditions attached to the house or garage when constructed (for example, the garage has to remain as parking) before beginning works, as an application will need to be submitted to remove the conditions.

If your intention is to convert a garage into a separate house (regardless of who will occupy it), then planning permission may be required no matter what work is involved. Discuss such proposals with your local planning authority to ensure that any work you do is lawful and has the correct permissions.

As with any type of extension, conversion insurance will cover the work and the existing structure. It should also cover materials, plant tools and equipment.

This type of insurance should also cover public liability and employer's liability should any of the workers be injured on site, for example. Public liability and employers' liability are automatically included to ensure you are adequately protected, but do double-check to make sure it's definitely included.

Ensure that the conversion insurance is ready to go from the moment work starts until the very end of the job.

Conversion insurance needs to be in place from the moment you plan to start work on the property and should continue to the point the project is completed and taken into full use.

You can either design and oversee the project yourself and employ builders, or you can hire an architectural designer or a specialist garage design and build contractor, who will help put your ideas into fully formed plans and give you expert design input. The latter will of course be more pricey.

If the garage is attached or integral to your home, they will also help you consider the best position for access and put plans in place to redirect this if required.

With more complex projects, you may prefer to have full structural plans drafted. This gives you peace of mind that building control has inspected the drawings and confirmed that if its constructed as per the approved plans your conversion will conform to regulations.

In addition to structural safety, key areas your building control officer or approved inspector will look at are damp proofing, ventilation, insulation and energy efficiency, fire safety (including escape routes), electrics and plumbing.

Specialist garage conversion companies can save you time in putting together applications and will be experienced in getting the best from this type of project, but any good builder will be able to do the job.

Head to Which? Trusted Traders to find a reliable local tradesman, or use our search tool:

The garage door will have to be replaced with a new wall and/or window. This may mean new foundations, but there are other options, including having lintels set just below ground level that bear on sound masonry or existing foundations at each end.

If you live in a conservation area you might find that your local council will want you to retain the original door. Architects can often incorporate them stylishly into the new design.

For tips from a professional before kicking off a project, read our advice from a builder and architect

Adding a single-storey extension will improve your home's layout and should increase its value. But could it be worth adding another storey while you're at it?

A single-storey extension is an ideal way to create extra living space in your home. It might allow you to expand an existing small kitchen into a kitchen dining and living space. It could also give you the extra space to add a utility room, a cloakroom or boot room.

A double-storey extension gives you all the above, plus extra bedroom and bathroom space upstairs. While it's more expensive, the cost won't be double that of a single-storey extension as a lot of the expensive structural work is already in place.

So what are the differences between single, double and side-return extensions?

Compare Extension costs: how much should you expect to pay in 2024? and find out how much an average extension should cost per meter squared

First impressions are important, so create a warm welcome for guests by adding a stylish and functional porch to the front of your home.

Whether you're after an extra bit of storage space for shoes, coats or stacks of firewood, a porch can be made bespoke to suit your needs.

A porch does more than provide additional space to your home; it can add extra security benefits by being a barrier between your front door and the outside world.

Closed porches can also increase your homes energy efficiency by preventing the heat escaping and helping you save a little on your energy bills.

The planning rules for porches are applicable to any external door to the dwelling house.

Adding a porch to any external door of your house is considered to be permitted development, not requiring an application for planning permission, provided:

Remember that permitted development allowances apply to houses and not to flats and maisonettes and check if your property is listed or in a conservation area.

There are many design choices when it come to building a new porch, from windows, front door options, brickwork and different roof styles - including pitched, gable and flat, down to the smaller details such as lighting, door handles and flooring. Every element can be personalised to your taste and the rest of the property.

One of the most important aspects of installing a new porch is to integrate it into your existing home so it doesnt look out of place, and just stuck on the front of your house.

A good brick match is worth considering, as well as a similar roof material to help it look part of the original building.

Read how to plan an extension for more in-depth advice, and find out how long it mighttake in ourtimeline to building an extension

The premium on space, especially in cities, has seen interest in subterranean spaces soar as they become elevated from basic storage rooms to beautiful, fully functional living spaces.

A basement extension can be a clever way to expand your living space without taking away any garden space. Whether you fancy adding an extra bedroom, kitchen diner, or cosy snug, we take you through everything you need to think about, from planning permission to the pros and cons of creating a basement.

If you are converting an existing cellar and are not making any changes to the external appearance of the building, you are unlikely to need planning permission. But you will almost certainly need planning permission if you are making any structural changes or altering the external appearance of the property, if the building is listed or in a conservation area and if you are creating a separate unit of accommodation.

If your basement extension requires excavation to create more room or if you are making changes to the external appearance of the property by adding a lightwell for example, you are likely to need planning permission.

Planning rules are continually being reviewed and vary considerably from one area to the next, so it is a good idea to contact your local planning authority at an early stage and well before any work begins.

Regardless of whether you need planning permission or not, you will almost certainly still require building regulations approval to ensure that your conversion meets a minimum standard of health, safety and welfare conditions; this covers areas such as ventilation, fire safety, foundations and energy efficiency.

It may seem like there are an overwhelming number of professionals to consult when it comes to planning a basement extension, but speaking to a reputable local builder with experience of similar projects is the best place to start. Head to Which? Trusted Traders to find a reputable builder near you.

Your builder, architect or planning consultant should be able to provide you with a package of plans and structural drawings. They'll also work alongside local authority building control to achieve building regulations approval.

The structural drawings will be provided by a structural engineer who will also produce technical drawings.

If your basement conversion requires structural changes to the building, such as excavation, you will likely require a party wall agreement. Some of the main criteria for requiring a party wall agreement includes:

Party wall agreements aim to protect neighbouring properties during and after construction and in most cases will involve the serving of relevant notices and legal agreements to neighbours.

Extending a property can often be a contentious issue with neighbours, so it's a good idea to inform them of any plans and contact a party wall surveyor at the early stages of your project.

For further information on party wall agreements, read our guide to building regulations and planning permission

Building regulations do not specify a minimum height for ceilings, but 2.4 metres is a practical height to aim for.

You will need at least two metres over the stairs to keep within building rules. Dont forget that you will need to include space for the height of your flooring within your calculations.

If you have outgrown your living space but you're keen to stay put, building an extension is a great way to make more of what youve already got. Adding an extra room, such as a converted basement, can increase your property value.

We recommend you speak to a couple of local estate agents before you start; they will be able to indicate whether you will recoup your investment when selling.

A good source of natural light and decent ceiling height will help to ensure that your conversion is a worthwhile investment that boosts your homes value.

Pros

Cons

Here are some key questions to consider before going ahead:

If you're lucky enough to have a pre-existing cellar, it may make economic sense to exploit it by turning it into a habitable basement. If you don't, the process is trickier and might not even be possible.

The costs and complexity of the project will vary dramatically depending on whether you have an existing cellar or basement with enough headroom that can be easily converted; a basement conversion is likely to be much cheaper if it's an existing space with no structural changes needed.Or whether you will need to fully excavate beneath the house to make a basement possible.

The most cost-effective option is a simple utility basement with no windows, which would work well for a workshop, utility room, wine cellar, or just extra storage. With some investment in electrical and plumbing works, and finishes to the walls and floor, the basement space could be used as a games room, home cinema or gym.

If you're after a full lower ground floor with plenty of lightwells, your project will most likely require excavation and underpinning, which will be expensive. However, a functioning subterranean level could provide more functional rooms like a kitchen, office, guest bedroom and bathroom.

With a separate access via an external staircase, a basement could even be used as the home-based business or a self-contained annexe.

Before starting a home renovation, read our Where to start with a home extension: advice from a builder and an architect. To get an idea of how much you'll need to set aside, visit our guide toextension costs to unlock the latest pricing data from the Building Cost Information Service (BCIS) database.

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House extension and conversion ideas - Which? - Which?

The GTA Online Halloween 2022 event has arrived for another year, which means it's time to get frightful and enjoy the seasonal additions to the game. Many players will be excited to see the return of several iconic GTA Online Halloween vehicles, so if you've ever wanted to tear around Los Santos in a hearse complete with a Frankenstein-esque monster emerging from the coffin, or a motorcycle with a glowing skull mounted to the handlebars, then now is the time to add them to your garage. There are also several terrifying masks to unlock, and a brand new Adversary Mode to try out, so read on for details of everything included in the GTA Online Halloween event for this year.

The GTA Online Halloween event started on October 6, 2022, which means it's live now and is expected to run until Tuesday, November 1, 2022, so you have plenty of time to claim the rewards and other spooky items listed below. Rockstar have also promised there will be "new Halloween clothing, collectibles, events, and returning fan-favorite modes in the weeks to come", so keep an eye out for future updates in GTA Online.

Alongside the regular GTA Online new cars that are currently rolling into town each week, there are a number of GTA Online Halloween vehicles making a return this month. You can pick them up from now until November 1 by visiting the following categories on the Southern San Andreas Super Autos website:

The GTA Online Halloween War Mask will be awarded to everyone who plays before October 13, so make sure you log on before that date passes then look for a notification confirming when it's been added to your wardrobe. If you're a GTA+ subscriber, you'll also receive the Mummy outfit, the Pumpkin Hoodie, the Gray Cracked Puppet mask, and the Grimy Stitched mask for playing at any time during the Halloween event.

The GTA Online Halloween event also provides the opportunity to earn the Gray Vintage Frank Mask, by completing any of the GTA Online Short Trips with Franklin and Lamar. Take on those side missions before October 13, and you'll also earn Double Rewards for your efforts in promoting LD Organics products.

Finally, the GTA Online Halloween event brings a new Adversary Mode called Judgement Day, where a small team of tough Riders on motorcycles try to wipe out a group of vulnerable Hunted in a deadly game of hide-and-seek. For each round the Riders start on an LCC Sanctus bike armed with a Double Barrel Shotgun and Stone Hatchet, while also having additional health, speed, and other abilities including brief thermal vision, plus health regeneration when near their motorcycle. The Hunted, on the other hand, are weak but can pick up weapons that the Riders don't have access to, and the Hunted win if they're able to survive until dawn or take out all of the Riders during Sudden Death.

Riders respawn automatically when eliminated, while the only way for Hunted to bring back a downed teammate is to eliminate a Rider, though neither team can resurrect players during the final Sudden Death minute of each round. The odds are stacked further in the Riders' favor, as if any Hunted get too close they'll burst into flames! Play this new mode before October 13 and you'll receive double GTA$ and RP, plus a bonus of GTA$300,000 if you manage to win 3 rounds, delivered to your account within 72 hours of completion.

Read the original here:
GTA Online Halloween 2022 events and rewards - Gamesradar

Recommendation goes to Jefferson Commissioners on whether to allow accessory dwelling units

People in Jefferson County eager to add an accessory dwelling unit to their property will have to wait, at least for the time being.

The seven-member Jefferson County Planning Commission voted against opening the door to accessory dwelling units in the county.

Wednesday, Sept. 28, the commission presented its decision to the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, which will make the final decision.

"If we're going to add ADUs to rural residential land, we actually may not add that many additional living spaces to address the county housing shortage," said Roy Hyder, planning commission chair, " but we create unanticipated problems as well as conflicts between neighbors."

Regulations in Oregon require cities of 10,000 or more to allow ADUs. Smaller cities may allow ADUs. Madras has chosen to allow them. The cities of Culver and Metolius do not currently allow ADUs.Changes in the law give counties the opportunity to allow ADUs in rural residential areas. Crooked River Ranch had the most properties that qualified for ADUs, 839, followed by Three Rivers, with 554 properties. The rest of the county had relatively few qualifying properties, 216.

When the county surveyed residents about ADUs, 102 people responded. Of those, 10% said they'd use ADUs for rental, 70-80% said they'd use ADUs for relatives or guests, 50% specified they'd use it for an elderly family member.

Pete Bicart, who also sits on the commission, voted in favor of allowing ADUs. While people tend to think of ADUs as tiny houses or separate dwellings; additions on houses, garage conversions or basement apartments also qualify.

"Right now for someone to do that in rural Jefferson County there are zoning restrictions against that," argued Bicart. "This would make it easier for folks to covert those garages, shops and basements."

Commissioner Wayne Fording points out that people already have made the conversions or added ADUs to their property regardless of the regulations."If we can find a path where to make these safer, inspected, legitimate to where everyone's not doing it under the table it would be a good thing. It would help the staff," said Fording.

Counties cannot establish guidelines for the ADUs until the state completes a map outlining wildfire risk zones. The state released a a wildfire risk map in late July, then withdrew the map after a onslaught of complaints from property owners.

Deschutes County plans to allow ADUs once the state finalizes its wildfire risk map. That creates an awkward situation for Crooked River Ranch, which straddles both Deschutes and Jefferson counties.

"There's so much that's unclear right now," said Commissioner Fording. "It might be a good idea to sit back and see what the Legislature's going to do."

You count on us to stay informed and we depend on you to fund our efforts.Quality local journalism takes time and money. Please support us to protect the future of community journalism.

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Planning commission votes down ADUs in the county - Portland Tribune

SnowRunner, the open-world off-roading experience from Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment, has announced some exciting news for the October 13th, 2022 debut of Season 8: Grand Harvest. This newest SnowRunner expansion will challenge you with a streak of crop failures and poor harvests, leaving it up to you to restore sustainable agriculture with three new vehicles!

Explore plenty of fresh terrain over four brand-new 4km maps of countryside in need of a serious recovery plan. Your garage will have three new additions to back you up: the classic heavy-duty sturdiness of the Step 39331 Pike, as well as the old-school K700 and state-of-the-art K7M, two farming champions that mark the entrance of the Kirovets brand in SnowRunner.

Bringing farming to SnowRunner for the first time, Season 8 offers plenty of new activities: restoring the local town and airfield, farming (and fixing farming equipment), and maintaining a clean energy infrastructure in a landscape of railroad stations, gas stations, construction zones, villages and fields.

SnowRunner Season 8: Grand Harvest is part of the Year 2 Pass, which is priced at $25. It should also be available separately for $7.

Read the original here:
SnowRunner Season 8: Grand Harvest arrives on Oct. 13th, 2022 - GoNintendo

Newcomers to The Wharf include The Pendry Hotel, two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, and The Atlantic's new offices. Rendering via Hoffman-Madison Waterfront.

After three years, construction of The Wharfs phase two is coming to a close. The $3.6 billion development, which turned a previously low-key stretch of Southwest waterfront best known for its fish market into a coveted live-work-play destination, initially debuted in 2017. While portions of phase two are still undergoing construction, the area will officially open to the public with a celebration October 12.

Visitors can now walk the mile-long path that stretches from the the open-air fish market to the newly constructed additions. Along the way, theyll find 20 new tenantsalmost all of the phase two spaces are leased, says Monty Hoffman, founder and chairman of Hoffman & Associates, which developed The Wharf alongside commercial real estate group Madison Marquette. Hoffman is also currently developing another mixed-use project in Buzzard Point.

Wharf newcomers include DCs first Pendry Hotel, the luxury condo building Amaris, The Tides apartment complex, two Gordon Ramsay restaurants, a Blank Street Coffee, DCs first location of the New York-based Mediterranean restaurant Limani, and another Lucky Buns outpost.

While many of the new additions wont launch until 2023, The Tides is open and leasing to residents, Pendry Hotels official opening date is November 1, and Amaris and the Gordon Ramsay spots should be open by the end of the year. Employees have yet to move to The Atlantics or Freedom Forums new offices, but the law firm Williams & Connollys new HQ is open. A pharmaceutical trade association is opening an office in the new development as well, says Hoffman.

Many of the new Wharf sites are glam: Off the Pendrys marble lobby, visitors will find its cozy-meets-luxe Bar Pendry featuring velvet seating, a curved bar with mirrored backsplash, and a fireplace. It also has a Latin-influenced restaurant called Flora Flora that overlooks the pool and a Japanese-influenced bar-restaurant called Moonraker, located on the penthouse level with 360-degree views of the city. The Pendry Hotels levels are cantilevered while the next-door Tides apartments are terraced, so that neither impedes the others view of the waterfront.

Meanwhile, Amarishome to a $12 million penthousecomes with an Olympic-sized indoor saltwater pool, a treatment room for massages and facials, an apartment for guests, and an elevator for your car. (Just drive it into the street-level elevator, and the valet will park it for you in the underground garage.) Its glass siding is curved via a process called cold-warping, giving it a Watergate-esque structure and maximizing views. Of its 96 units, over half are sold, says Hoffman.

And it wont be all condos: The high-end Chinese restaurant Philippe Chow will open its first location outside of New York on Amariss bottom floor, where there will also be a Blank Street Coffee.

Additionally, The Wharf has added extra marina space, with slips by the forthcoming waterfront Limani restaurant where Hoffman says hed like to one day see superyachts docked, a la St. Tropez. A fueling center for boats has been added, as well as a clubhouse where liveaboards can shower and do laundry.

That isnt to say that the expansion is exclusively high-end. A lot of this is an experience in contrasts, says Hoffman. Near the parked yachts are kayaks for rent, and forthcoming restaurants like Bartaco and Slice of Matchbox (a spinoff of Matchbox) veer fast-casual. And over 50 percent of The Tidess units are marked as affordable housing, according a Hoffman-Madison Waterfront representative.

The new stretch will have several green spaces, as well as public gathering spots like The Grove, an open-air section outside the Pendry with a gas fire pit and a stage. Outdoor chandeliers and light posts with lampshade-like tops are meant to blur the lines between indoor and outdoor living, says Hoffman. The whole idea is to bring people together to socialize and connect and have more intimate, liveable spaces than large, grand civic spaces.

The Wharf will celebrate both the grand opening of its phase two expansion and the five-year anniversary of phase ones completion on October 12. Guests can expect pop-up entertainment, live music on The Wharfs pier, specials at Wharf businesses, and fireworks.

Here is a full list of all the new spots coming to The Wharfs phase two expansion:

Join the conversation!

Home & Features Editor

Mimi Montgomery joined Washingtonian in 2018. Shes written for The Washington Post, Garden & Gun, Outside Magazine, Washington City Paper, DCist, and PoPVille. Originally from North Carolina, she now lives in Del Ray.

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The Wharf's Phase Two Is Opening With Over 20 New Spots - Washingtonian

Recently, Porsche claimed to have increased the Taycan Cross Turismos range by a significant amount with a new software update. To put that claim to the test, Harrys Garage took the car out for a drive in his latest video, as well as gave it somewhat of a mini review in the process.

This new update supposedly unlocks around an extra 15 percent of range, which amounts to around 30-40 extra miles (48-64 km). On top of the Taycan 4S Cross Turismos original EPA range figure of 215 miles (346 km), the updated model should be able to achieve around 250 miles (402 km). However, in Harrys real-world testing with the car Range mode, that figure was actually more like 270 miles (435 km), which is quite a significant jump.

Read More: Porsches Roof Tent Will Let You Drive And Sleep In A Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo

See Also: Can You Actually Go Off-Roading In The Porsche Taycan Turbo S Cross Turismo?

As another part of his tests, Harry also decided to take the Cross Turismo beyond the asphalt to see if its minor off-road additions make it any different than the standard Taycan. Putting it in gravel mode does raise the ride height a bit and alter the traction control profile, but it wont be conquering Moab anytime soon.

Where the Cross Turismo really shone in Harrys tests was in its ability to find traction in seemingly impossible situations. As part of his mini off-road excursion, Harry took the wagon up a set of steep, slippery grass hill, and the car was able to manage it effortlessly thanks to its clever traction control.

As far as driving impressions are concerned, theres nothing to be said about the Taycan that hasnt already been said. Being an EV, it naturally has ludicrous acceleration and a low center of gravity from the heavy battery in the floor. Being a Porsche, it has the sharp steering and stellar dynamics weve come to expect from the German manufacturer.

Continue reading here:
Porsches Updated Taycan Cross Turismo Is Better Than Ever - CarScoops

Halloween 4K Collection [UHD, Scream Factory]

What is it? Closure in 4K as the the last three films in the original Halloween run come to UHD.

Why see it? The late Halloween films, before Rob Zombies reboot and the Blumhouse sequel trilogy, are considered low points by many as they carry the desperate stench unique to some 90s horror titles. Theyre a mix of mythologies, one carries over plot lines from earlier films while another brings back Jamie Lee Curtis for a final face off against Michael Myers. The arguable highlight for the films is less about the Halloween content and more about some familiar faces, but Scream Factorys new 4K UHD box set makes the case for revisiting them all over again.

Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995) attempts to wrap up the cult angle introduced in the previous film (1989s The Revenge of Michael Myers) by expanding on it in pretty bold ways. Unfortunately, the studio trimmed most of the subplot from the theatrical release resulting in a movie that doesnt make a lick of sense. The producers cut, also given the 4K scan treatment here and presented on its own disc, addresses that issue by adding much of the footage back in. Its still a bit messy at times, and director Joe Chappelles attempts at style are distracting at best, but the scripts attempt at something new is somewhat refreshing even if the franchise scares have grown cold.

Halloween: H20 (1998) is something of a dry run for the eventual David Gordon Green blockbuster as it brings back Jamie Lee Curtis for a direct sequel to 1981s Halloween II. Shes a headmistress at a private school now, still suffering with PTSD from her terrible night twenty years earlier, and she even has a son (Josh Hartnett)! Michael returns, naturally, while just a handful of people are left at the school over the Halloween weekend, and the slaughter ensues. Michelle Williams, LL Cool J, Adam Arkin, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Janet Leigh are along for the ride, but they dont all make it to the end credits. Its a perfectly competent slasher, thanks in large part to director Steve Miner, and earned big at the box office despite featuring a lazy-looking Michael.

Last, and arguably least, is 2002s Halloween: Resurrection which posits that Lauries triumphant beheading of Michael at the end of the previous film was actually the murder of an innocent man. This is some Bobby in the shower on Dallas-level bullshit. Once Laurie is tossed to her death, the films main plot kicks in with college kids live-streaming a visit to the Myers house with the expected results. The camera footage is grainy as hell, the jumpscares are abundant and poor, and it makes you miss the days when the franchise would take risky left turns with satanic cults and bloodline shenanigans.

All three films in the Halloween 4K Collection come in their own case and hard slip, all fitting snugly into a box-set slipcase, and Scream Factory has continued the theme and format with their new cover art too. Its a slick affair all around, and the label also earns points for keeping the extras on the Blu-rays allowing the films to take full advantage of the UHDs bitrate.

[Extras: New 4K scans, commentaries, interviews, featurettes, deleted scenes]

What is it? An epic adaptation of the classic vampire novel.

Why see it? Francis Ford Coppolas blockbuster tale of horror is beloved by many, but Im continually left straddling a line with the film. Its undeniably gorgeous with stellar work in its production design, cinematography, and special effects but the damn thing is also so damn stagey in its execution. It never feels as if its unfolding in a real world, and the stilted performances of two of its leads dont help. We love Winona Ryder and Keanu Reeves, but theyre not quite selling the characters, period, or love story. The criticisms, though, are outweighed the sheer ferocity of the films visuals. Every scene gives us some beauty to stare at in awe, and the UHD takes full advantage of that delivering some truly beautiful shots and sequences.

[Extras: Dolby Atmos/Vision, commentaries, deleted scenes, featurettes]

What is it? A teen discovers a vampire has moved in next door.

Why see it? Tom Hollands mid 80s classic has gotten both a sequel and a remake, but neither can touch the infectious charm and fun of the original. Funny, sexy, creepy Fright Night has it all, and it holds up remarkably well on rewatch too. Roddy McDowall is just aces as the befuddled horror TV host roped into the adventure, and Chris Sarandon thrills as the vamp with a taste for young women and sweaters. Holland infuses the Rear Window-like plot with warmth and humor throughout, and the films special effects are as effective as they are endearing. Sonys new UHD offers up a fantastic picture, and the extras (on the Blu-ray disc) include some great new additions.

[Extras: Dolby Atmos/Vision, 35th anniversary script read, featurettes, commentaries, documentary, interviews]

What is it? Grief and shock lead a woman into a lush adventure.

Why see it? Julio Medems tale of sex, discovery, and wonder meshes various themes and tones into its magical realist tapestry. The plot takes some hard turns which might threaten to lose viewers, but the narrative isnt the most important thing here. Instead, its Paz Vegas journey through her past choices and relationships on a beautiful island that make for a mesmerizing watch. Theres real beauty here, beyond the much talked about high degree of sexuality and nudity, as Lucias realizations about the important things in this world come to light. The films been out of print on Blu-ray for some time and is well worth picking up.

[Extras: Featurettes, interviews, video essay]

What is it? A visit to the Medieval Dead!

Why see it? The Evil Dead films arent really my jam, inexplicably, outside of the remake (which rocks), but this third entry has some fun with its medieval setting. Bruce Campbell is especially fun bantering with the dimwits, and Sam Raimi ramps up his stop-motion antics and practical effect showcases while slathering it all in slapstick humor. Scream Factorys new release ports over all the previous extras, and its an extensive offering ensuring that fans have plenty of material to dig through in addition to the three cuts of the film.

[Extras: New 4K restoration of theatrical cut, directors/international cuts, Dolby Vision/HDR, documentary, commentary, deleted scenes, interviews, featurettes]

What is it? The survivors of the first are off to college, and a new killer has joined them.

Why see it? Wes Cravens second entry in his Scream franchise is a favorite for many, but it remains the one I like least. There are numerous issues with its characters and narrative, but the deal breaker is the killer reveal at the end. The character in question is never believable as the killer, and the performance itself is oddly over the top leaving the reveal a bit of a flat line. Still, there are some fun beats here, and for fans of the film, this new UHD is a massive upgrade from the current Blu-ray release as it cleans up obvious issues and offers a sharp presentation.

[Extras: Dolby Atmos/Vision, commentary, outtakes, deleted scenes, music videos, featurette]

What is it? A ground slug/worm causes havoc in a small town garage.

Why see it? Well, someone saw Tremors, liked Tremors, and decided to remake Tremors with a few bucks and a misunderstanding of what makes Tremors so endlessly great. I kid, but while the setup here seems promising with poisonous, underground worms causing havoc, it quickly drops us into a dark garage for way too much of the time. We never get real thrills and instead watch as minor threats are dragged out.

[Extras: None]

Also out this week:

Bel Air Season One, DC League of Super Pets, Dead for a Dollar, Into the Deep, Night of the Living Dead [UHD, Criterion Collection], Picard Season Two, Plague Zombie: American Invasion, Watcher, Winning Time

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Scream Factory Brings the Last Three Halloween Films to 4K UHD - Film School Rejects

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For some, a body of water or a soaring mountain range makes for a good view. For interior designer Jessica Hansen, it was simply the ability to look out into the distance that sold her on her hillside Oregon home back in 2018. The Portland fog can feel so claustrophobic, so being able to see out really helped, says Hansen, the founder of Tandem Design. Naturally, once her Vladimir Kagan sofa finally arrived (she bought the vintage piece from a seller in Florida who was kind enough to stow it in a storage unit for a year as her renovations took place), there was only one spot to put it: smack-dab in front of the extra-long window overlooking the backyard.

The U-shaped sectional is unsurprisingly the center of life in Hansens house: Its where she entertains friends and where her two sons, Walter (9) and Otis (7), curl up with a book after school. I dont know what the original upholstery is, but Ive gotten mud out of it, blood out of it, dog pee she says with a laugh.

Because the circa-1961 house is perched on a slope, it looks small and unassuming from the street, when in reality it spans 3,548 square feet. It took a few major structural updates to get the interior looking as spacious as that, though. The house was actually very dark. It had lots of rooms, she recalls. Hansen took down a wall that originally divided the living and dining spaces and extended the pitched ceiling. Where there was once just a window over the kitchen sink, there is now a series of five sliding door panels (the designer stole part of the nearby garage to give herself enough wiggle room for the indoor-outdoor feature). The arrangement allows for ultimate flexibility: Hansen can crack open just one or unfurl them all. The Faye Toogood seating on the adjacent deck features custom tie-dyed cushions, courtesy of Hansens intern, Addie.

Not sticking an island in the middle of the kitchen or uprooting the floor plan was a decision made withwhat else?the views in mind. Every way you face, youre either looking outside or youre looking into the rest of the house, Hansen points out. To maximize the cupboard layout, she had her cabinetmaker add six drawers to the corners (though you can barely tell theyre there because they blend in with the fluted paneling). There was just dead space, so I wanted to use it for the things we dont need very often. One of them is my junk drawer, says the designer. Other additions she swears by: a hidden pull-out trash can, a wine refrigerator, and tall upper cabinet doors that hide her small appliances.

Previously, one half of the massive fireplace that bisects the living and dining areas was covered in thin bricks. Hansen decided to wrap it fully in stone like the other side, but finding a match to the ones that had been unearthed more than 50 years ago proved to be a challenge. The masonry person was like, This is never going to happen; you should just pick a new material, she recalls. But in a quarry in Colorado, she discovered an option that looked similar enoughshe could pull this off. In order to make the whole thing appear authentic, Hansen took bits of stone from the original side and sprinkled them on the new wall.

The designer was met with nos once again when she began scouring her local stone yards for slabs of colorful marble, but her persistence led her to uncover a blush option for her primary bathroom vanity (the piece was a remnant from a hotel project 10 years ago). When Hansen discovered a slab of pink and green marble for her guest bathroom in the depths of another yard, the shop let her take it home for a mere $600. They were so excited to see somebody buy it, shares the designer. Despite his nerves, Hansens fabricator was able to seamlessly cut it into two solid pieces, making delicate holes for the tub and the arched shelving nook.

It took quite a few more tries to get Hansens bed right. When she first ordered the custom piece from a design firm she has long admired, it arrived smaller than expected. She had to wait for the company to sell the queen-size version to a new buyer before building her a king from scratch once more. But when that one arrived, she noticed the headboard had been damaged in shippingand the replacement part didnt align with her current bed-frame system. Thankfully, the brand swiftly solved the problem by hiring a local furniture maker to come out and tweak it. It was worth the wait, says Hansen. Its so sturdy. The dog and my kids are all on it. Its held up great.

Hansens boys have begun to tap into their own creativity, too. The designer wasnt a fan of the barn door in Walters bedroom (it came with the house), but her 9-year-old was adamant about keeping it so he could treat it like a canvas. We love stickers! she jokes. Otis prefers to apply his collection to his wall-mounted IKEA desk. Of course, what big brother is into, little brother is into, adds Hansen.

The designer introduced a part of her own youth to the home in the basement: Above the piano is a self-portrait she painted when she was 20. I had given it to my mom because I didnt think I wanted it anymore, but recently I was like, you know what, I want that back, she shares. Its all about perspective.

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Even on Gloomy Days, a U-Shaped Kitchen Promises Good Views in This Portland Home - Domino

Dodge Speed Week is in full swing, and youll find nowhere else covering this momentous event quite as extensively as us here at MC&T. Day one is in the books and yielded so much it almost feels unjust to limit it to one single recap, but here goes nothing. Dodge started their mega marketing Never Lift Campaign, last year, providing a roadmap of 24-months of muscle that anyone could access via the Dodge Garage website. After day one of Speed Week, were more than halfway through that calendar.

Head of Dodge Brand Tim Kuniskis unveils 10 different jaw dropping updates to the Dodge muscle car brand in a 20-minute video. Heres a rundown:

Direct Connection Challenger Mopar Drag PakDodge adds a rolling chassis Drag Pak Challenger to its Direct Connection catalog, listed at just under $90,000 ($89,995). A screaming deal for an engine, and all thats missing is an engine.

Dodge Challenger Body-In-WhiteIn addition to the turnkey Drag Pak Challenger, Dodge is offering up a do-it-yourself kit that starts with body-in-white Challenger that comes without a roll cage for $7,995.

Direct Connection Catalog UpdatesThe Dodge Direct Connection catalog sees multiple additions like Bolt-on supercharger kits, and TorqueFlite 8-speed transmissions.

1970 Challenger Carbon Fiber BodySpeed Finale and Dodge have partnered up to offer a full carbon fiber 1970 Challenger body. A Roadrunner and Cuda were teased as well.

Dodge Challenger Convertible

Every Dodge dealer in America can now order you aChallenger Convertible from Drop Top Customs out of Florida.

Durango Hellcat ComebackThe much sought-after Dodge Durango Hellcat makes its return for the 2023 model year, with potential for further continuation.

Color ComebackB5 Blue, Plum Crazy Purple, Sublime Green, and Destroyer Gray, will be made available for 2023 model year.

2023 Model Year Is The EndDecember of 2023 will be the final month these cars will be produced. There have been 3 million made, supplying over one billion horsepower globally.

Last Call special editionsThese wont be available to order, rather allocated to highest volume dealers. First come first serve. A final special edition will be revealed at the 2022 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Horsepower TrackerStarting in October, Dodge will share exactly how to find one of the Last Call Charger and Challenger muscle cars via its tracker on Dodge Garage website, complete with weekly updates.

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Dodge Speed Week, Day One Recap - Muscle Cars and Trucks

If you find yourself outgrowing your current home, building a home addition might be a better idea than moving. Home additions are usually a good investment because they increase your square footage while raising your homes value.

People get home additions for a variety of reasons. For example, taking care of aging parents may require adding an in-law suite. Having more children may create the need for extra bedrooms and bathrooms.

Some home additions happen because the homeowner wants a bigger closet or a full size pantry, or wants an unfinished basement or garage to become usable living space. You may want to add a garage to a home without one, or turn an open carport into a closed garage.

For standard home additions, the cost can range anywhere from $20,000 to $80,000. But there are a few key factors to calculate in your home addition cost.

To calculate the overall cost of adding on to your home, youll need to consider:

Other things youll need to consider for your home addition cost are:

Adding on to your home can be costly. However, you can build out your house without breaking the bank.

Some of the least expensive home additions are:

These options allow you to use what you already have and escape the high cost of adding foundation, walls, roof, and everything else that must be done for an add on.

You can also consider adding:

With these ideas, you can still have your dream home addition and keep from emptying your pockets.

Bump-outs and full second stories can be major home addition projects. Other additions include turning an existing patio into a sun room or making attic into a living space. Here are 15 great home additions for you to consider today.

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An in-law suite is one of the most common types of home additions as people are living longer. While many people give mom or dad the spare bedroom, others want their parents to have a sense of independence for a longer period of time. An in-law suite allows you to help your parents when needed and gives them privacy when they dont need your help.

In-law suite home addition plans should focus as much as possible on accessibility. Even if your senior family members are mobile and active now, things can change rapidly due to an accident or fall. Its best if an in-law suite is a first-floor addition with few or no steps. As with all types of home additions, make sure you follow the building codes for your town and neighborhood.

Many areas of your house can work for bedroom home additions. The attic, basement or garage can all be places to consider when figuring out how to add an extra bedroom to your home. A covered patio can make a great master bedroom, especially if its existing roof is already part of the main house structure.

Most counties and cities have building codes that require a bedroom to have at least one door opening to the inside of the house and at least one window that opens outdoors. This is to provide two potential fire escape routes. If you cannot meet these requirements in your chosen space, you may need to locate the extra bedroom home additions in another place.

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Bump-outs are small home additions that literally bump out from an existing interior wall. While they may not seem big viewed from outside, these small home addition plans can make a living space feel much larger inside. They also do not add a lot to your home addition costs because they dont require foundation work or a roof. You can use this area to add windows to provide extra natural lighting.

A bump out can be used to add a closet to a bedroom or a pantry to a kitchen. A kitchen bump out may provide just the space you need to add a small caf table or dining bar. Bump outs can also make enough space for a laundry rooma valuable addition to any home.

Bay windows are a common type of bump out that add seating and lots of natural light to a living room or bedroom. If you have always dreamed of having a fireplace in your living room or bedroom, a bump out can provide enough room for a fireplace with built-in shelves on each side.

Some of the smallest home additions involve adding a new closet or pantry to an existing floor plan. This can often be accomplished within the homes original footprint by moving interior walls or building new ones. Bump outs also work well for smaller areas like walk-in closets and kitchen pantries.

Many homeowners are now turning unused spare bedrooms into giant closet rooms. This may require moving walls and creating doorways between the master bedroom and the new closet space. Todays new closet home additions include a variety of luxurious features. These dressing rooms include furniture, mirrored walls, elaborate chandeliers and specialized storage solutions for every type of clothing and accessory.

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Home addition plans that include a new bathroom (or expand a current one) can be expensive. Along with kitchens, bathroom home additions cost a lot more than other types of rooms because of the plumbing expenses. Countertops, floors and electricity costs also make bathrooms an investment.

If you have a small master bathroom, making it bigger can give you room for a soaking tub or a large vanity that has two sinks. A bigger main bathroom can be helpful for large families. You can also add a small half-bath or water closet in the small space under your stairs. An unused closet can be turned into half-bathroom, which is convenient when you are entertaining or having overnight guests.

A simple home addition may involve finishing your basement. A basement home addition is a good idea because using that space can save on home addition costs. Its less expensive to build within walls you already have instead of adding a second floor or bump out structure.

Local building codes may state that you must have a certain number of exits from the basement. If you need to add more doors or windows, expect your basement home addition costs to rapidly increase. Otherwise, finishing a basement can be an easy way to add a small apartment, game room, gym, home theater or extra bedrooms.

If you have a garage that doesnt have a second story, you may be able to add one to create the extra space your family needs. Before starting your home addition plans, check with a builder to make sure your garage foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. There may be extra safety precautions to take when building over a garage, such as fireproof drywall and vapor barriers between the floors.

Over a freestanding garage is a good place to add an in-law suite or teenager suite. You can also create a studio apartment with a bathroom and kitchenette and rent the space to generate a steady source of extra income. A fun playroom or bonus room can fit over most garages. You can also use it for storage instead of paying for a storage unit across town.

The space over your garage is also a good location to add a few guest bedrooms and a bathroom, if you often have overnight guests. They will enjoy a sense of privacy while still being able to stay on your property.

Popular in the south and in midcentury design, an open-sided carport or covered parking pad is one of the best home additions if your house lacks covered parking. If your home already has a carport, you can hire a home addition contractor to build solid walls and add a garage door to transform the space into an actual garage.

If you dont need covered car parking or an enclosed garage, a carport that shares the homes structure and roofline can be turned into a porch, living room, media room, playroom or extra bedroom suite. This will be considered a larger home addition project. But because it already has a foundation and roof, it will be less expensive than building a room entirely from the ground up.

While its nice to have a patio or porch, you and your family will likely get more use from a sun room or screened porch. Home addition costs are low for this kind of project because the foundation is usually already there. Your home addition contractors may only need to fill in walls between existing studs and use the current roof.

If you want a sunroom to be counted in your homes square footage, it must have heating in the wintertime and a door that opens into the house. These rooms usually include lots of windows and are a great place to socialize, dine and grow house plants.

You probably cant count a screened porch as interior square footage, but having one increases the quality of life in your home. This is especially true if you live in a hot climate and need outdoor living space that is well-ventilated and safe from insects and other pests. If you live where you get a lot of snowfall, ask your home addition contractor to make sure the structure can support the weight of heavy snow.

A dormer is a roofed structure that projects out from a homes main roof. It usually contains a window, and a roof may have multiple dormers, such as in a traditional Cape Cod home design. If you have a tall attic space, adding dormers can help increase the usable square footage in the attic. Dormers also make your house look bigger from the street.

Dormer rooms can be bedrooms, bathrooms or living areas. If your attic is tall enough to stand in, but lacks windows, this can be a way to meet building code requirements for windows in living spaces. When turning an attic into a home addition, try to keep some of the space for storage only. Even if you dont need the storage space, the next person who buys your home may appreciate it.

Bigger kitchens are more popular than ever and having one will increase your homes value. Even small kitchen home additions can make a kitchen feel much bigger and more open. If you really need additional kitchen space, you can take down an exterior wall and build a small room for dining and a pantry. Building an outdoor kitchen on a deck or patio also expands your cooking space.

Sometimes a kitchen home addition includes building an entirely new kitchen and converting the existing small kitchen into a pantry or mud room. Because of the cost of plumbing, appliances and new countertops, kitchen home additions are some of the most expensive home expansion projects you can do. A good contractor can help you keep your home addition costs within a certain budget.

A mudroom may also be called an anteroom or a vestibule, depending on where you are from. Common in rural areas and farmhouses, these rooms provide a place for family members to take off muddy shoes. Having a designated area for this helps keep the entrance of your home organized by giving kids a place for their book bags, hats and coats.

Mudrooms are simple home additions that dont require a lot of square footage. A ten-foot by ten-foot space is big enough for this purpose. A good mudroom will include hooks for hanging up clothes, a bin for wet umbrellas and often a bench for sitting while changing shoes. If you can include room for a washing machine and dryer, this is an ideal place to put them.

A deck is not counted as an actual room in the home, but it is one of the most welcome home additions. Who doesnt love a beautiful outdoor space for relaxing and socializing? Deck home additions may even be possible to do yourself without having to hire a home addition contractor. However, you should have strong DIY skills before considering taking on such a large project. This is especially true if you need a multi-level deck instead of one basic flat surface.

Decks can be made of real pressure treated wood or a variety of composite materials. You can also buy partially assembled deck kits that include all the parts that you will need. You can leave the deck open to the sunshine or build an open-sided roof structure over it. Awnings or canopies are also great for providing shade on your new deck home addition.

When it comes to calculating home addition costs, building a full second story is one of the most expensive home addition projects you can take on. Most homeowners find the expense worth it because it ends up doubling, or nearly doubling, your homes total square footage. A second story will greatly increase your homes value when its time to sell.

Before investing home addition costs into home addition plans and blueprints, hire a building inspector to make sure your homes current foundation and structure can support the weight of a second floor. If it cant, there may be things that can be done to make it stronger. If your homes foundation cant be strengthened, you may have to choose a bump-out or another way to get the square footage you want.

It may be tempting to hire home addition contractors and start immediately on building your new home addition. But there are a few things to keep in mind before you launch such a big project. A licensed professional home addition contractor will be able to give you advice on doing everything in a legal manner. But you should still learn about your local building codes and zoning ordinances for yourself. That way, you will know if anything is amiss.

Find out where you need to submit your blueprints and home addition plans. This might be a county assessors office or a city official. Dont just turn the project over to a home addition contractor and expect everything to turn out well. Show up on the job site daily and make sure the work is being done in a way that all legal requirements are met.

New home additions are one of the best options to increase the value of your home. Its also a great way to add luxury, convenience, and creativity to your house. However, home additions will take up a lot of time can be rather expensive.

Are you stuck on whether you should build up or build out for your home addition? Either way will have its benefits and challenges. If you have the space, you can add on. You have limited space but a sound structure you can build up.

The most important aspects of building an addition to your home are the preparations, plans, permits, and professionals you hire to complete the job. Youll need to consider your options carefully and what fits into your budget.

Home additions are fun because you have full control over the design and can be creative. Its also a great way to add space and value to your home. Even though they can be costly and take time, home additions are a rewarding investment.

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15 Worthwhile Home Additions That Can Increase Home Value