We urge you not to!  As our lives revolve more and more around connectivity, it has become an important part of the home infrastructure and can influence the design of your living space.

 

With some careful planning, you can create a cabling infrastructure and a robust network system that will meet your technology needs now and in the future. It is important to think beyond the electrical plan and install high quality cabling at the very start, so you can avoid the hassle and expense on retro fitting years down the line.

 

The cabling infrastructure can be likened to the body’s nervous system which carries information to all parts of the body and controlled by the brain (processor) to ensure efficient and effective functioning. The system needs to be robust, secure and respond to your changing needs, with the facility to easily add new products/services as needed.

 

The advantage of working with a home automation expert is that they will have the ability to walk you through how you use your home now and in the future, showing you how, over time, the layout and purpose of each space may change. They will be able to help you design a suitable cabling plan and network system, advising on the most appropriate cabling to meet your needs.

 

As we become more reliant on social media, online streaming, on-demand music and film services, your connectivity needs to be effective from the start to meet your current needs and take advantages of new products/services in the future.

 

 

Top Tips

 

• Trailing cables look untidy, so designing a well ventilated, central location to house all the equipment will ensure you have a discreet and easy to manage system;
• Think about how you blend technology into your home – flush keypads and smart tablets; hiding TVs discreetly behind artwork; installing projectors in ceiling spaces; speakers plastered into the walls; blinds hidden in recesses. These are all things to consider in the design phase if you want to get it right for you;
• Consider all the possibilities of control systems – they don’t just control heating, lighting, music and TV, they can be used to manage sprinkler systems, internal intercom, baby monitors, water features, climate control in the wine cellar, carbon monoxide detection that integrates to shut down the boiler when triggered. These systems not only provide for  comfort and fun, they can also support energy management, safety and security – so you need to consider all the possibilities
• Preserve your decor by planning for future needs;
• Ensure you use the correct cabling, specifically designed to meet the requirements of home automation and that meets the industry standards;
• Ensure that all the cabling is in place to allow your incoming services to be distributed effectively around the home;
• If you choose to install any home automation, music, TV systems, lighting or heating control, automated blinds/curtains – ensure you use an approved installer to ensure all your warranties are supported.