Articles

Would you feel comfortable if a General Contractor told you he could build your dream home without a set of architectural plans? Of course not. As we all know, a house is very complex and is built from many different items: a foundation, framing, plumbing, electrical, windows, doors, a roof, and the list goes on.

Humanity’s love of music is timeless and universal. It sustains the soul, speaks to the imagination and shapes our perspective on the world.

In our view, everyone should respect the life-affirming spirit of music and value how it was explicitly meant to be heard and enjoyed by the artist who created it. In simple terms, the goal for the audio industry is to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. We recognize that the best musical experiences will trigger a deep emotional connection.

Over 25 industry experts plus the Home Technology Association’s esteemed Board of Advisors have weighed in to create the rigorous standards of HTA Certification. Our goal is to empower consumers with the best information possible so that they may research and hire the best firms for their project.

Wireless connectivity is faster than ever, but your home still needs a solid network of wiring for higher bandwidth, better Internet security and a host of other benefits.

In a world that increasingly uses wireless communication, conversations about cabling / prewiring can seem a bit outdated and, frankly, unnecessary. In reality, this could not be further from the truth. Wiring is and will remain, an important component of any modern home. Why?

The world we live in today has become increasingly connected. Not long ago, most people only had a desktop computer and maybe, a laptop computer that needed access to the Internet or maybe a network-connected printer. In just a few short years it seems that every device in our lives can now communicate with other devices, store data on some remote location, automate some process, or allow us to communicate with each other in new and exciting ways. In fact, it is estimated that the number of connected devices will exceed 50 billion by the year 2020.

When embarking on a new home build or remodel project, the fuzziest budget item for most homeowners is typically the technology budget. Your builder, architect, and interior designer can quickly ballpark what a pool, a kitchen, or an electrical contract will cost. When it comes to technology, though, they often shrug their shoulders since there are so many variables.

Are you in the process of planning a home theater? Possibly you are well into the design or even already have some construction underway. Or, you may have only recently started to consider the possibility. In any case, you have likely been overwhelmed with copious, confusing and often misleading information on just exactly what creates a great home theater experience. To make sense of it all, it is a good idea to step back and consider what is possible, and what is essential to attain the results you desire. This article will consider three key ingredients of proper home theater design.

Of all the amenities in a home, lighting can have the most impact on design, ambiance and even your sense of well-being. Set at the appropriate brightness and color temperature, lighting can accentuate the architectural features of your home while affecting your mood and well-being. Smart lighting has the ability to touch every part of our lives in some very positive ways, and the continual evolution of LED lighting technology is largely responsible.