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.

There are few things in life more exciting for fans of great music than the installation of their very own whole house audio system. But if you’re thinking about upgrading your Fort Worth, TX home with a new way to listen to your favorite tracks, you probably have plenty of questions. Not the least of which is this: which speakers are right for my space? In this blog, we’ll attempt to explain some of the general differences between speaker types and how you can benefit from using each. Read on to learn more!

See Also: What You Need to Know When Buying High-End Audio Speakers

Wired or Wireless

Some homeowners struggle with the notion of going fully wired with their speaker units, or to go with wireless units. While it’s true that wireless units are quickly approaching the audio quality provided by their wired counterparts, they still don’t offer quite the same experience. Wired speakers are more reliable and ensure better sound quality overall, especially when streaming high-fidelity, lossless audio tracks.

Floor-Standing Speakers and Bookshelf Speakers

If you’ve ever built a new home or endured a remodeling project, you’re well aware of the importance of planning out every detail no matter how insignificant it might seem. Whether you did a kitchen makeover or converted an extra bedroom into a man cave, the first step in your planning journey is always the same, determine your ultimate goal for the project. Once you have those goals in mind, you’ll be able to consider decisions related to design, materials, and budget. But perhaps you’re not aware of the possibilities related to Vantage lighting control for your Dallas, TX home. Read on to learn more about this must-have home upgrade.

SEE ALSO: Motorized Shades, Smart-tech to Reduce Energy Consumption

Why upgrade your home’s lighting system?

The days of flipping a switch to turn on a single light at a time have gone the way of the rotary phone, it may have worked well for its time, but new technology has come along to replace it and provide a better user experience. No longer do homeowners have to fumble for a light switch, arrive home to a dark property or have to worry about their house while away on vacation.  

• Get Hands-Free Control – How often do you make your way through the garage or into your home, hands full of groceries, luggage, or a toddler? And no way to turn on the lights? With an occupancy sensor, the light turns on automatically whenever you enter a space. Not only great for entry ways, but also for rooms where you often enter with your hands full, such as a pantry, wine cellar, or laundry room. These same sensors can turn off lights a short while after you leave the space, making it easy to save on energy. 

• Increase Safety and Security – The end of summer signals shorter days and no one in your family wants to arrive home to a dark house and fumble with the keys at the front door. A well-lit property allows each family member to safely make their way from the car into the house. An automated lighting system can be programmed to turn lights on around your property at sunset each day. An outdoor system that incorporates pathway lighting prevents slips, trips, and falls keeping you, your family, and guests safe. Additionally, landscape lighting can be added to increase the curb appeal of your property. 

• Set Your Home to ‘Vacation’ Mode – Do you worry about what’s going on at your house when you are away on vacation? With a ‘vacation’ lighting scene, you can enjoy your time away without thinking about your home. Before you step out of the door, enroot to that tropical destination, tap on the scene button and voila, your home goes into away mode meaning lights come on at random times throughout the day and into the evening so that your house appears as though someone is home. Your outdoor lights, as well as, shades can be programmed as part of the scene giving you added peace of mind while you are away.  

With Vantage lighting control, table and floor lamps can also be added to your lighting system providing convenient access to all the lights in your home. Start with a single-room and add on to the system as you need or outfit your entire home with lighting automation. Contact one of our lighting experts to learn about what’s possible. 

There’s nothing quite like the experience of watching a classic Hollywood movie or listening to your favorite music playlist in the comfort of your own home. But can your home network support the plethora of devices and streaming activities that your family uses on a daily basis including laptops, game consoles, Blu-ray players, smartphones, tablets, televisions, video streaming and game downloads? The typical home network is slow and inconsistent. Isn’t it time you upgraded? Read on to learn more about inviting the future of tech into your home.

Support 4K Streaming

Televisions are getting bigger, and prices are coming down—in particular, 4K ultra high-definition TVs. But what good is a fancy, new 4K TV if your network doesn’t have the bandwidth to support your family’s streaming habits? Greater download speeds will transform the way you watch TV and open up a world of crisp color that is sure to make your friends jealous. Slow download speeds result in buffering issues and lag time, which no doubt you have experienced.  

SEE ALSO: Are You Making these Home Networking Mistakes?

An additional piece of information to be aware of is that internet service providers (ISP) often put a cap on the total amount of data that a customer can use each month. These caps present a problem when it comes to streaming live video. If your ISP limits your data usage to 50 or 200 GB per month, you could quickly reach your limit when live streaming.