Learn about the smart devices and features you need to protect your valuable assets and loved ones

No area of technology has advanced more rapidly in recent years than home security technology. Once upon a time, homes in Pittsburgh, PA, had a single alarm system that alerted a central monitoring facility when a break-in or fire occurred. Today, homes are equipped with alarms, cameras, and sensors that proactively notify you (and a monitoring facility) when something is wrong and allow 24/7 remote access to all security systems from your smartphone or tablet.  

A home security system that you can control from anywhere with your smartphone gives you peace of mind while you’re at home, at work, or halfway around the world on vacation. Keep reading to learn more about the smart security devices and features we recommend to protect your interiors and exteriors.

Which display technology is the best choice for your home theater system?

At one time in the not-too-distant past, movie projectors and screens were the best display choice for home theater systems. Televisions couldn’t compete size-wise and picture quality-wise, and homeowners loved the authenticity a movie projector brought to a private home cinema.

Today, projectors are still a fantastic display choice for home theaters. But they’re no longer the best and only option: television technology has advanced to the point of competing with projectors, especially in terms of picture quality. And introducing televisions to the theater landscape has made the big-screen experience possible in smaller theater rooms.

If you’re building or updating a home theater in Pittsburgh, PA, which display screen is the right one for you and your family? Read our blog to compare TVs and projectors to help you make the right choice.  

PowerShades roller shades are fully customizable with multiple power, color, and fabric options

Upgrading your window coverings to smart shades is one of the best investments you can make in your Pittsburgh, PA home. Motorized shades are easier to use than manual shades, more energy-efficient, and provide better, more precise lighting control. And today, you can easily find shades in a range of colors, styles, and fabrics to match your interior design needs.

One of the biggest lags in the motorized shades industry has been the lack of power options. Hardwired shades involve extensive wiring in your home, but battery-powered shades are less environmentally friendly than you might want. The leading brand PowerShades is offering a third option: custom window treatments that utilize Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology.

Keep reading to learn more about true PoE shades and other custom features PowerShades offers.  

Choose from an array of fixtures to show off your patio, porch, and backyard in their best light

Outdoor landscape lighting is a versatile and valuable addition to your Pittsburgh, PA property. Not only does expertly placed lighting show off your home’s exteriors, but it also allows you to spend more time enjoying all the entertainment and beauty your outdoor living spaces have to offer. Plus, landscape lighting makes your property easier to navigate at night!

Keep reading to learn ideas for the different landscape lighting fixtures you can utilize in your primary outdoor spaces.

Unlock more automation and customization features with a smart home control system

Today, more and more people are bringing smart technology and smart devices into their homes. Smart TVs with built-in streaming services, doorbells with cameras you can access anywhere in the world, and smart lighting you can dim or brighten with your phone are flooding the residential market in Pittsburgh, PA.

But accumulating multiple smart devices that all work independently comes with limitations that prevent you from taking full advantage of what a smart home has to offer. A smart home control system from Control4 brings all your smart devices together and enables fast and convenient control in one place. Keep reading to learn two advantages of upgrading to a connected home with a centralized control system.