PROFESSIONAL SYSTEMS
Smart Home Tech Guide
Designing & Building the Ultimate Professional Smart Home System
When building or retrofitting a luxury home, technology integration should be part of the early planning stages. From lighting to security, audio, and entertainment, professional systems can transform your living experience—enhancing convenience, aesthetics, and overall value. Here are key considerations and popular brands for building a seamless, well-connected home.
Budgeting for a Smart Home System
Plan 5-10% of the Total Home Cost
To integrate technology properly in a luxury home, plan to budget around 5-10% of the total home cost. This covers essential elements like:
▶ Lighting & Shade Control: Automated lights, dimmers, and motorized shades.
▶ Security: Advanced cameras, access control, and alarm systems.
▶ Audio & Video Distribution: Whole-home music, video streaming, and dedicated home theater setups.
Proper budgeting ensures that you’ll have high-quality components, future-proofing, and professional installation for optimal performance.
The Importance of a Strong Wired Network
While wireless technology has come a long way, hardwired connections remain crucial in a luxury home setup for stability, speed, and security.
Ubiquiti Unifi – A Popular Networking Solution
WHY CHOOSE UBIQUITI UNIFI:
Unifi by Ubiquiti is a trusted name in professional-grade networking. Their Dream Machine router makes setting up a robust home network easy while providing advanced features like VLANs, guest networks, and detailed traffic insights.
▶ Access Points for Wi-Fi Coverage: Install access points (APs) throughout the home to provide strong, consistent wireless signals. This is ideal for devices like smartphones, tablets, and wireless smart home components.
▶ Direct Connections for Core Devices: Whenever possible, directly connect core devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home hubs via Ethernet for optimal performance.
PRO TIP
Plan the network cabling early in the construction process to ensure you have the necessary infrastructure to support all your connected devices, both wired and wireless.
Seamless Integration & Concealed Technology
To achieve a luxury experience, technology should be present but unobtrusive. Work with a technology integrator to ensure devices blend seamlessly into the home design:
▶ Hidden Speakers & Invisible Mounts: Opt for ceiling speakers or hidden speakers that provide high-quality audio without compromising aesthetics.
▶ Touch Panels & Minimalistic Controls: Replace large banks of switches with touch panel controls or keypads that are easy to use and elegant in design.
▶ Discreet Displays & Entertainment Systems: Consider Frame TVs that display art when not in use or motorized lifts to conceal TVs within cabinets.
Top Brands for Professional Home Systems
Smart Lighting & Shade Control
▶ WHY CHOOSE LUTRON:
Lutron is a market leader for smart lighting and motorized shade control. Their products offer:
Customizable Scenes & Automations: Create personalized scenes that adjust lighting and shades with a single command (e.g., "Goodnight" to lower shades and dim lights).
Elegance & Versatility: Keypads and dimmers are designed to be elegant, intuitive, and compatible with different decors.
Integration: Lutron works well with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Apple HomeKit, and professional control systems like Crestron and Control4.
▶ POPULAR PRODUCT LINES:
Lutron Caseta: Great for smaller systems or DIY setups with simple integration.
Lutron RadioRA 3: Mid-range professional system for whole-home lighting.
Lutron HomeWorks: High-end solution for complete lighting and shading automation.
Whole-Home Audio & Music Streaming
▶ WHY CHOOSE SONOS:
Sonos is a leader in multi-room audio, offering high-quality wireless speakers and audio distribution systems.
Seamless Streaming: Stream music, podcasts, and radio throughout your home, with the ability to group rooms or play different content in each space.
Easy Control & Smart Home Integration: Control Sonos speakers via voice assistants (Alexa or Google Assistant), wall-mounted keypads, or your smartphone.
▶ PRO TIP:
Use Sonos Architectural by Sonance speakers for in-wall or in-ceiling installations that provide powerful sound while blending into your home’s design.
Samsung & Sony
The Best in TV & Display Technology
▶ WHY CHOOSE SAMSUNG & SONY:
For luxury homes, Samsung and Sony are go-to brands for premium TVs and displays.
4K & 8K Options: Both brands offer stunning 4K and 8K resolution TVs with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support for the best picture quality.
Smart TV Features: With built-in smart TV capabilities, access streaming apps, and integrate with smart home systems for complete control.
The Frame TV (Samsung): A great option for blending entertainment with design. When not in use, The Frame displays artwork or photos, turning your TV into a piece of wall art.
▶ PRO TIP:
For home theaters, consider Sony’s 4K projectors or ultra-short throw projectors for large screen sizes without bulky equipment.
High-End Home Control Systems:
Elan, Savant, Control4 & Crestron
User-Friendly Control & Simple Integration
▶ WHY CHOOSE ELAN:
Elan offers easy-to-use interfaces for controlling everything from lighting to AV, security, and climate.
Customizable Touch Panels & Remotes: Elan touchscreens and remotes are designed to be simple to operate, with options for personalization.
Easy Automation & Scheduling: Set scenes and schedules for different times of the day or activities (e.g., "Morning Routine," "Dinner Party").
Savant
Elegant Control & Customization
▶ WHY CHOOSE SAVANT:
Savant is a premium home control system focusing on luxury, style, and ease of use.
Sleek Touch Panels & Remotes: Savant's hardware is modern and stylish, and its interfaces are user-friendly, designed to enhance the experience of home automation.
Scenes & Personalization: Create custom scenes (e.g., “Relax,” “Good Morning”) that adjust multiple devices at once, including lights, music, and shades.
Control 4
Versatile Control & Smart Home Integration
▶ WHY CHOOSE CONTROL 4:
Control4 is one of the most versatile and popular smart home control systems, known for robust compatibility with a wide range of devices.
Easy Access with Mobile App & Touchscreens: Control4’s app and touchscreens provide an intuitive way to control every device in your home, from entertainment to lighting and security.
Voice Control & Automations: Integrate with Alexa, Google Assistant, or Josh.ai for voice control and set up automated routines for a more intuitive smart home experience.
Full-Scale Luxury Home Automation & Total Integration
▶ WHY CHOOSE CRESTRON:
Crestron is often seen as the pinnacle of professional home automation, providing a fully integrated solution that brings together all aspects of home technology.
Highly Customizable & Scalable: Crestron is designed for custom installations and can scale from controlling a single room to automating an entire estate.
Unified Control Across Devices: Crestron brings together lighting, shades, security, entertainment, climate, and more into one unified system.
Dedicated Support & Professional Installation: With Crestron, you'll work with certified professionals to design and install a system tailored to your home and lifestyle.
Finding the Right Professional for Your Project
To ensure that your luxury home technology system is properly designed and installed, consider hiring a CEDIA-certified professional. CEDIA is a reputable trade organization that certifies installers and integrators. You can also find local dealers for brands like Lutron, Sonos, Savant, and Crestron through their websites.
Want More Info?
Videos to Explore More About Professional Systems:
▶ Pros & Cons of DIY vs. Professional Install
Further Reading & Resources:
▶ The Ultimate Smart Home: DIY vs. Professional Install
▶ Leverage Technology Installation Experts in the Home Building Process
▶ Best Practices for Designing & Installing a Smart Home Network
By planning your professional systems early in the process and partnering with experienced integrators, you can create a luxury home experience that combines the best in technology, convenience, and design.