Extraordinary floor-to-ceiling windows and glass walls have become the norm for modern homes these days.  The glass panes are optimal for scenic views and letting in the day’s natural lighting.  But often, they can be a hindrance for privacy and let in the sun’s ray that might damage your interior décor.   Motorized shades can easily solve the issue, and provide a comfortable and practical feel to your living area.  Read on to learn why smart window shades are the perfect fit for you Dallas, TX home.

SEE ALSO: WHICH TYPE OF MOTORIZED SHADES IS RIGHT FOR YOU HOME?

Motorized is the Way

Your lofty windows are stunning, but perhaps not when you’re attempting to manage their shades.  You want to lower them with ease when the sun is directly hitting your living room, or open them up without thinking twice in the morning.  With regular shades, the latter would be a tricky feat to accomplish without spilling your coffee.  But motorized shades take the difficulty out of the equation; all that’s required is the push of a button.  And if you know certain hours of the day you’d like the shades adjusted, then you can set them to work automatically without another thought to it.

Blend In or Stand Out

When enjoying the view from your glass walls or high window fixtures, normal blinds and shades can be distracting.  They don’t blend well with the rest of your interior, and often still prove a noticeable problem when you pull them out of the way.  Specific motorized shades, such as roller or honeycomb style, will ensure that when they are drawn up – you won’t realize they are there until you lower them back down.  These shades roll up into the wall above the window, disappearing completely until you are ready to have them back.  Want the added decoration that lovely patterns and fabrics motorize shades can offer?  That’s always an option too.  Whatever fits your home’s design and your taste, there is a window treatment style for you.

Doubling up

Often, we want the best that both worlds can deliver – and choosing for elegant glass windows shouldn’t be any different.  With motorized shading, you don’t have to compromise.  In one room, you might wish for privacy as you read or lounge about on the sofa.  But other days, you want to enjoy the view and the sun’s light.  Blackouts shades might be a great option for when your family is watching a film in the living room, but not when you have guests over the next day.  Double roller shades are the ideal solution.  Dual-shading means two shading styles and two options to always have on hand for your window treatments.  Choose between UV ray protection, view preservation, blackout, and more.  Now you can determine the lighting and ambiance of every room of the house with ease and without settling.

During football season, you know how important it is to make sure everyone catches each impressive play and suspenseful moment of the big game.  But there’s nothing worse than garbled audio and a glitch-riddled screen to ruin the fun.  Give you and your guests the ultimate game day experience in your Dallas, TX home with an elevated audio video system.  Read on to learn why your upgraded media room is the perfect place to enjoy football with friends and family this fall.

New AV Technology

The next best thing to standing in the stadium with your sportswear and team gear on is reveling in an immersive experience at home with your bowl of buffalo chicken dip.  But with the latest audio video tech available, being at home might just jump to first place.  With a 4K Ultra High-Definition flat screen or projector, you’ll feel like you’re right there cheering your team on – in the comfort of your own home.  4K guarantees a crisp and clear picture quality, and lets you get as close to the screen as you need to without worrying about seeing the individual pixels. 

Installing a surround sound system will also ensure that you never miss a commentary or call.  You can enjoy everything about the stadium experience, but on your comfy sofa surrounded by your fellow fans.

SEE ALSO: GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS WITH AN AUDIO/VIDEO SYSTEM UPGRADE

Rid Yourself of the Glare

Imagine your team is about to score a touchdown, but then the sun shines intensely into the living room – causing a major glare on the screen and hindering your view completely.  You might think there’s not much to be done against the sun’s power without a huge hassle involved.  But motorized shades can make sure you never miss a beat. 

With a single push of a button, lower the shades so that no light touches the TV, or have automatic sensors cause the shades to automatically roll down when the sun is shifted to shine directly through your windows.  Take the control into your hands, and only worry about refilling your guests’ drinks and plates.

Double the Screens

With so many games to stay on top of, you might find not every viewer is in agreement over which to catch up on and watch.  Multiple screens are guaranteed to keep everyone happy and up to date on the various games.  With more than one screen, the opportunities are endless.  You can install an outdoor TV with a weather-proof and glare-free screen.  If your friends are grilling and tailgating on the patio, then you can easily pop into the kitchen for more dishes and never miss a moment on your media or kitchen’s TV.  Having more screens means more game-watching capabilities, and less time figuring out what channel to switch back to.

Upgrading to a smart home might already seem like a daunting task, with plenty of steps to take before you get there.  With so much at hand, you need a company that makes the planning and designing simple for you, and is most importantly, looking out for your best interests.  Finding a low voltage contractor to install or add to your home solutions should be the easy part, but for many homeowners, it’s tough to know which companies are worth considering.  Here are the simple steps to take to find the perfect home automation company to assist all your endeavors for your Colleyville, TX home.

1. License to Install

While low voltage licensing is not a requirement in Texas except for companies who install security and alarm systems, if do you want any security features in your smart home, you’ll definitely want to make sure that the home automation company you’re working with has required their contractors to have low voltage licenses. 

Obtaining the license requires many hours of training and a passing score on a thorough exam that ensures the installer knows the proper safety, regulations, and building codes.  Knowing your contractor has this low voltage license means you won’t have to worry if they’re qualified – they will be guaranteed to do the job right and safely the first time around.

SEE ALSO: 3 REASONS TO CHOOSE SAVANT FOR SMART HOME AUTOMATION

2. Insurance is a Must

You never know what can happen – unwarranted and unexpected obstacles and events happen every day on the job.  When things go wrong, insurance is the answer.  If your home automation company is missing that, mark them off your list.  If an installer or worker is injured at your house, you could be held responsible.  With an insured company, you are no longer liable.  You can stop expecting the unexpected and leave any issues for the company to solve and settle.

Homeowners these days are installing smart automation systems into their residences and homebuyers want them already in place upon purchasing their new house.  This means an architect has to know the ins and outs of smart home control before getting started.  But with new technology and additions piling up, it can feel overwhelming.   We’ve listed out below how to get started with a smart home system, so that Fort Worth, TX architects won’t miss a beat in the ways of new automation technology.

Home Automation

A smart home system controls, essentially, whatever you need it to control.  Integrated technology allows you to remotely control any part of the home – lights, security, climate – you name it.  So for clients who want to make their lives easier and more comfortable, home automation is the key.  With the proper installation, they can adjust their motorized shades, lower the temperature, turn on their favorite music or movie, and set the alarm all from one access panel or smart device.

SEE ALSO: THE EASIEST WAY TO CONTROL YOUR SAVANT SMART HOME SYSTEM

Before and After

So does the primary installation happen during or after construction?  Like most aspects of construction, it truly depends on your clients.  The good news is if you plan accordingly beforehand and have a set idea of what elements and features they want, then you’ll know exactly what to put into place during the building process.  If your clients have a problem with visible wiring, then preplanning the design and layout of necessary wiring can help you avoid a blundered final product.  No need to open up walls again or carve out more construction time, when it can all be done right the first time with proper planning.

Who to Work With

The luxurious smart home technology of today has greater installation needs than the basics usually require.  This means a general electrician might not have the skill or knowledge for installing the tech effectively.  It’s beneficial to work with an automation contractor, who can help with the first steps of designing and wiring, all the way to the final project completion.  They’ll have expert knowledge on the custom technology and can work with you to make sure everyone is on the same page.  Working with an interior designer can also guarantee that the building and construction process is still aligned with what your client’s dream home is.

Whether you’re completely new to home automation or you’re looking to upgrade an existing system, there’s one component that many homeowners overlook. Plenty of people want to start with their home theater system or their security features – both great ideas. But if there’s one aspect of your home that you should really consider upgrading, it’s your window treatments. Smart shading systems can help save you money, add privacy to your spaces and reduce the damage that the sun can wreak on your internal furnishings. In this blog, we’ll show you why they’re perfect for every room of your home.

Smart Shades Are Perfect for Any Season

Did you know, motorized shades can help you reduce your overall energy consumption? By helping you regulate temperatures inside your home, and preventing valuable AC air from escaping through the windows, you can enjoy a more comfortable home without having to adjust the thermostat.

That makes them perfect for your home all year round. While the Texas temperatures are sweltering in the summertime, your shades can help keep you cool by containing the cool AC air. You can even integrate sunshades – translucent coverings that filter in light without the heat.

Plus, in the winter, heavier curtains can help keep your rooms from getting too cold. By creating a small pocket of air between the window and the curtain, your motorized shades can keep you comfy without extra energy.