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How to Get the Best Results from Landscape Lighting

A house in the woods with beautiful landscape lighting.

Enjoy a Beautiful Design with Long-Lasting Lights & Smart Control 

Are you looking for something a little more impressive than string lights or a porch light? You can make the most of your Muskoka, ON, home with a professional landscape lighting installation. What difference do the pros make? Find out below. 

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7 WAYS TO USE OUTDOOR ENTERTAINMENT SPEAKERS THIS SUMMER

A Sonance outdoor speaker surrounded by small pink and purple flowers.

MAKE THE MOST OF THE TORONTO SUMMER WITH OUTDOOR AUDIO

It may still be chilly in Toronto, but summer is already on our minds. If you’re considering installing outdoor entertainment this year, including an outdoor speaker system, but aren’t sure when you’d use it—let us help you get inspired.  

Outdoor audio motivates homeowners to spend more time than ever in the sun and under the stars. Rather than stay indoors on a beautiful day, you’ll make the lawn an integral part of your home. Here are seven ways to use outdoor audio in warmer weather. 

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Installing a Home Audio System? Don’t Skip the Outdoors

A house exterior with an outdoor sound system mounted on the walls.

Incorporate the Backyard in Your Whole-Home Audio System 

A whole-home audio system is one of the greatest treats a music lover can give themself. Music synchronizes across the house, easily controlled from a smartphone, tablet, or even wall keypad. 

But what about the backyard? If you’re building a multi-room audio system, don’t think the outdoors is off-limits. You can enjoy the same tunes in the sun or under the stars with outdoor speakers that connect to the indoor audio system.  

Maybe you’re thinking: would I really use an outdoor sound system? And won’t the speakers break in the rain or cold? As an audio-video company in Toronto, we’ll answer your outdoor audio questions below. 

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Media Rooms: Home Theatre Quality in a Casual Setting

A modern media room with a Sony projector and screen.

Create a Space to Entertain with a Media Room Design 

Most people agree—movies, shows, and video games are best enjoyed in a home theatre. But not everyone has room for a private cinema, and not everyone necessarily desires a dedicated theatre room. 

If you still want jaw-dropping visuals and audio in your Muskoka, ON, home, you can enjoy the same AV quality with a media room design. What’s a media room? Find out below! 

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5 Tips to Get the Best Results from Home Video Surveillance

A video surveillance camera with a house in the background.

Make the Most of Your Surveillance Cameras System

Do you worry about the house when you leave for the night—or the weekend? Do you feel guilty leaving the pets home alone, or are you concerned about crime in Toronto, CA? You can put all your anxieties at ease with a home video surveillance system.

Modern home surveillance systems let you check in on live footage anytime, right from your mobile device. You’ll also receive alerts if the system notices any suspicious activity. But before you order any-old cameras online, read these tips to ensure you get the best results from your home security cameras. 

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Stage 5 for Smart Home Automation: Review & Plan for Success

A bed with a Crestron home automation controller on the bedside table.

Looking to the Future of Your Smart Home 

All your smart home devices are installed. We’ve finished programming smart scenes, and we’ve shown your household how to use the system. Now, before the entire process is complete, we’ll set expectations for the future. 

After all, if anything ever goes wrong with your Toronto, ON, smart home, you’ll need someone to call for help. That’s the expectation we set in the fifth and final stage of a smart home automation installation. 

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Stage 4 for Home Automation Installations: Orientation & Training

Stage 4 for Home Automation Installations: Orientation & Training

Get Acquainted with Your Newly-Installed Smart Home

In the first stage of a home automation installation, we get to know you and what you’d like to get out of a smart home. Next, we prepare plans and draft a design for your system. In stage three, we run wires and install technology across the house, finishing the installation process.

What’s next? We never leave clients hanging and unsure of how to use their home automation system. So when you partner with our smart home company in Muskoka, ON, here’s what you can expect for the fourth stage: orientation and training. 

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Stage 3 for Home Automation Installations: The Finishing Process

Man and woman standing in a house that’s being renovated. He points to a tablet she is holding.

What to Expect in the Final Stage of Your Smart Home Installation 

We’ve made a plan and discussed your budget. We visited the house and drafted system designs. Now it’s time to put your smart home into action. 

In the third and final phase of a home automation installation, we’re wiring the technology and programming the system to your unique preferences. Here’s what you can anticipate for your Toronto, ON home! 

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Stage 2 for Home Automation Installations: The Project Kick-Off

People gathered around construction plans with a hard hat in view.

It’s Truly Time to Get Started!

In Stage 1 of our Smart Home Installation blog series, we discussed just how crucial the “getting to know you” step of the overall process is to ensure you get exactly what you want. But what happens once the project is underway? What does that look like for you and your Toronto, CA home?

Our trusted home automation services help you feel at ease about every aspect of your project installation and setup. Keep reading below to learn more about the second step: the project’s official kick-off!

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Stage 1 for Home Automation Installations: The Information Session

A home automation integrator showing plans and designs to clients on a tablet.

Getting to Know You and Starting the Installation Process

No home automation installation is one-size-fits-all. Some homeowners want to focus on hidden audio-video and the home theatre; others prioritize smart lighting and security. So when we work with clients to design their dream smart home, the first stage in the process is all about getting to know you. 

As a home automation company based in Toronto, ON, we’ve established a process that helps our clients realize the full potential of their smart homes. Here’s what you can expect from the first stage of the process: the information session. 

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Build an Impressive Whole-Home Speaker System with Sonos

Sonos 5 speaker on a bookshelf in a home office.

Enjoy Music All Over the House with the Right Speaker in Every Room

What’s better than being able to listen to high-quality music in every room of your home? The only thing better is when you can do it with the ease of a Sonos speaker system. Why Sonos? The company has earned a well-deserved reputation by making digital music easy to enjoy in a multiroom environment. 

Sonos is a speaker and audio company, but they are also a software company in a way. Their software expertise has let them build simple, intuitive interfaces for whole-home sound systems. And their software-synchronized wireless speakers make it easy to put music in every room. So, is Sonos right for your Muskoka, ON, home? Learn more about some of Sonos' unique features below.

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Get Your Home Ready for Summer Fun with an Outdoor TV!

A couple chats while watching their Samsung outdoor TV on their terrace.

Extend your living spaces with top-level installations this summertime!

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors with our loved ones. By installing high-quality outdoor technologies, such as The Terrace, a luxurious Samsung outdoor TV, you can get your backyard ready to enjoy entertainment on a whole new level. 

Whether you are hosting a cookout to watch the game with friends or a cozy movie night under the stars with your family, make sure your outdoor technology helps you create the best summer experience. Want to learn more? Keep reading our blog to find out why you need an outdoor TV to elevate your alfresco fun in your Muskoka home!

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Three Ways to Add Ambiance with Outdoor Lighting

Beautiful backyard patio and pergola softly lit at night with outdoor lighting

Add Function and Aesthetic Flair to Your Nights

With spring in gear in Muskoka, it's time to enjoy more outdoor pursuits after a long Ontario winter. You might be in the process of planting spring annuals, cleaning up patios for seasonal enjoyment, and getting your pool ready for some summer splashing and swimming. 

While you’re fixing up the outdoor spaces in your home, you might want to consider upgrading your outdoor lighting. Not only will outdoor lighting create a safer and more functional area, but it also adds ambiance and lets you take full advantage of your outdoor amenities. Keep reading below for three ways to create the right atmosphere for any nighttime outdoor activity with light. 

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How Long Do Outdoor Speakers Last?

Two children play on a covered deck while Sonos outdoor speakers play music.

Bring Durable, High-Quality Audio to Your Outdoor Spaces

We install outdoor sound systems that endure all Muskoka weather— from humid summer days to snowy Ontario winters. The premium brands we use are manufactured to defy the elements while delivering the highest quality audio to your favorite songs. 

Yet many homeowners still wonder: how long will my outdoor speakers last? The answer? It depends!

To ensure you’re getting the best experience in outdoor audio, we answer commonly asked questions below.

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How To Improve Wi-Fi in Your Home Networking System

Mother and daughter sitting on a sofa using their computer and tablet connected to their wireless home network.

You Might Need to Add a Few Wires

You might be thinking, why do we need wires in a wireless world? It seems like every new device, even appliances – are connecting to the internet. It’s a given for your entertainment, like smart TVs, AV receivers, smart speakers, and more. And while many of those devices come with an option for a wired network connection, everyone loves the convenience of Wi-Fi, even for devices that don’t move anywhere.

So why does anyone need a wired connection in their Muskoka, ON home? We’ll explain how a few wired devices could significantly enhance performance in your home networking system

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4 Ideas to Expand Your Living Space Outdoors

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Make Your Outdoor Entertainment the Center of Family Fun & Get-Togethers with Friends 

After a long Toronto winter, we all want to make the most of the beautiful, warm weather. So, wouldn’t it be nice if you could take your work laptop or TV time outside? 

With weatherproof home technology, we can now swap our living rooms and home offices for the backyard and patio. As a home technology integrator, we’re seeing more homeowners expanding their living spaces to the backyard, thanks to innovative outdoor technology.

With the best outdoor technology and networking installed, you’ll spend more time under the sun and stars than ever. Read on to discover how a grand outdoor entertainment center with advanced technologies can elevate your Ontario home. 

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How to Use Motorized Shades for Home Security

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Make It Look Like Someone’s Always Home!

Did you know motorized shades can help improve your home’s security? And we don’t mean providing privacy when you need it (although that’s important, too!). 

With motorized window coverings incorporated into your smart home system, you can program shades to raise and lower at various times throughout the day, mimicking the appearance of an occupied house. And by syncing your shades to smart lighting, both will work together to create a convincingly occupied house. 

Read on to learn how motorized shades and a smart system work to benefit your Toronto, ON, home! 

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A Smart Lighting System Isn’t Complete Without Motorized Shades

a-smart-lighting-system-isn-t-complete-without-motorized-shades

Add Smart Window Shades to Your Existing Lighting System 

Do you already own a smart lighting system? Aren’t you in luck! Not only do you have complete control over your lights’ color and brightness, but you can also save scenes and schedule lights to follow a routine.

But controlling LED lights is only half of the equation. What if you could manage and automate natural light in your Toronto, ON home, too? 

By integrating motorized shades into your automated lighting system, you’ll add even more convenience, comfort, and energy savings to daily life. Plus, with Canada’s recent ban on corded window coverings, now is the perfect time to switch to motorized shades. 

Read on to learn how to incorporate motorized shading in your lighting control system.

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Wired or Wireless? How to Buy & Build a Multi-Room Audio System

wired-or-wireless-how-to-buy-build-a-multi-room-audio-system

Bring Music to Every Corner of Your Toronto Home 

What is multi-room audio? Essentially, it’s a network of speakers in two or more rooms that connect to the same music source. So, whether you’re streaming playlists, spinning vinyl, or playing TV audio, you can hear it across the whole house over several speakers. 

There are several ways to create a multi-room audio system. Some people use wireless speaker bundles, while others prefer to wire their audio equipment to the same system. 

Which is the better approach? In this article, we’ll compare wired and wireless audio to help you find the right solution for your Toronto, ON home. 

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New Window Covering Regulations? Smart Shades Are The Answer!

20220211-164336CONNE3_FebruaryBlog1_MotorizedShades_MuskokaON-

Discover the Convenient Alternative to Corded Manual Shades

As of May 1st, 2021, the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act is enforcing new Corded Window Covering Regulations. To eliminate strangulation hazards associated with corded window coverings, exposed strings and looped cords will no longer be available on window shades.

What does this mean for homeowners? Soon, you won’t be able to find window shades with long strings and loops. While some may have found this an easy approach to window treatments, there’s a much more convenient alternative: motorized shades.

Read on to learn how motorized shades work, what they’ll offer your home, and where you can find them in the Muskoka, ON area.

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