Blogs

Gyms are great for your fitness goals, but they’re one-size-fits-all. Why pay for a pricey membership at a crowded gym when you could have a smart home gym of your very own? The right fit for your fitness goals Gym hours (not to mention group classes) almost never seem to fit your schedule perfectly. If you’re a working adult or a parent, you know how hard it is to squeeze in 30 minutes of exercise each day, let alone find childcare. A home gym gives you the flexibility to work out when you find the time – without worrying about childcare, busy schedules, or missing a delivery at home. And when you add in smart technology that enables you to answer the doorbell, adjust your thermostat, preheat the oven or change your workout mood with just your voice – you’ll never have to worry about interrupting your workout.  A gym designed with you in mind Whether you want a dedicated home gym or only have room for designated space to roll out your yoga mat, there are endless audio, lighting, climate control and even voice control solutions to help you create the ultimate, immersive experience required to motivate you through your workouts. Whether you’re a yogi looking for natural light and calming audio, or need blackout shades, streaming capability and your favorite high-powered playlist for your early-morning spinning class, you can have the gym that inspires you to reach your fitness goals. We’re here to help If you’ve been dreaming of your own smart home gym for, we’re here to help. Whether you want a decked-out, dedicated space or need just a few pieces to get you started, we have the pros and the resources to help you create an immersive workout experience.

Join us at BUILDEX this week! You\’ll find us in the Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association Pavilion (HAVAN 431). We\’ll share the latest in smart home automation, outdoor audio and video solutions, home theater design and the art of technology! See you at the show! For more on the show, visit BUILDEXVancouver. Like to schedule a time to meet? Please call or contact Mike Chorney at [email protected].

Elan clients, it\’s time to upgrade! Call us today to schedule your consultation.

Builders: we’re sure you’ve seen your fair share of home design trends come and go – whether it’s a popcorn ceiling or granite overload, there’s always something new. Our latest trend, though, is something that’s probably more the new norm – building smart homes. Building for buyers who want custom and convenient Increasingly, new home buyers are looking for the convenience, functionality and accessibility of smart home technology – whether that’s an all-encompassing high-end system or a few key pieces. Having the ability to integrate smart tech throughout the home with professional systems like Crestron, Savant and Elan or more a-la-carte versions like Amazon or Google, will definitely appeal to your buyers. These buyers want voice control, customizable settings and the ability to set “moods” for climate control, lighting and more; they want technology that is functional but can also easily blend into their decor – whether that’s having a centerpiece like a television that doubles as artwork or a statement mirror, or a system that blends seamlessly into the background, like built-in speakers and hidden wires. By incorporating this tech early in the building process, you can provide a home designed with the necessary infrastructure to add on to as technology and needs change throughout the life of the home. A security system is a ‘must-have’ Whether at home or on vacation, every homeowner wants to be sure their home, family and belongings are safe. With ample technology available to keep your home safe, including cameras, smart door locks, window sensors and other features, you’ll want the infrastructure in place. These features aren’t “add-ons” anymore – they’re part of the standard package. You’ll keep the installers and your buyers happy if you’re able to plan ahead in the design for this highly-desired and necessary feature. Make your model the showroom Your buyers probably know how an Echo works and might even already have a DIY system in place at home. But when building their dream home, there’s so much more to consider! Make sure your model is outfitted with your standard smart home package – and then some. In using your model as a smart tech showroom, you’ll be opening them up to a world of design possibilities that add even more customization and personal touch to their home. Consider an all-encompassing security system, a whole-home audio system, as well as lighting and shade control that can be customized based on the time of day, their mood, and so on. Having an impressive smart home as your “base model” means you’ll be setting yourself apart from the competition – and that’s sure to get any buyer’s attention. Give us a call We have the resources and the pros to help you implement smart technology into your build – whether you’re the builder or in the market to buy a home for yourself. We can help with everything from design, to training staff and your buyers, to connecting you with other tech-savvy home builders. Give us a call today!

Smart technology and children are often synonymous with smartphones, tablets, and other ways to keep them entertained. What some people don’t realize are the safety and everyday living benefits of having smart homes designed with kids in mind. Protect your kids – even when you’re not there Your priority is protecting your kids, especially when any technology is concerned. It’s no longer uncommon for kids to come home from school to an empty house, but now you have the capability to keep an eye on them and make sure they’ve gotten home safely even when you’re at work or running errands. Give yourself some peace of mind by equipping your home with door and window sensors that let you know when your child has arrived home safely, or a smart lock that gives you the ability to let them in when they’ve misplaced their key. If you’d like even more functionality, consider integrating cameras with two-way communication abilities to greet your family as they get home, or even keep intruders away. For added security and accessibility, consider keeping this control in the palm of your hand on your smartphone so that you can always let in the babysitter, make sure your oldest made it in for curfew, or discourage unwanted visitors from trying to enter your home. Control the lighting, control your schedule We all know blackout shades and lighting control help with everyday things like movie-watching and energy-saving, and it’s no secret that lighting and shade control can help keep intruders away, but have you considered the impact light has on your daily routine? Imagine integrating lighting and shade control into your home that will help with signaling that it’s time to get in bed or wind down with a book. You can even set custom settings for the smallest members of your family to help ease that fear of the dark or for a little extra help in the morning when they can’t get up with an alarm. Optimize your technology for the best experience We can help you optimize your home and network capability for gaming, family gatherings, and personalized settings for everyone in your home. By setting up a VPN, firewalls, and parental controls, you can keep them safe, while also giving them the ability to stream their favorite music or watch a movie while their friends are over. We’re here to help, and we\’re kid-friendly! We have the expertise to help you integrate the right kid-friendly smart technology into your home. Let us help you configure your home with the best technology for your family’s needs.