Should You DIY or Use A Smart Home Company?

If you’re a handy man, a fixer-upper, or someone who prefers to do things their own way, it’s entirely possible to assemble a smart home system by yourself. Devices like Amazon’s Alexa and Samsung’s SmartThings are available in stores, and with video tutorials and blogs like this one, DIY installations are more accessible than ever.

The downside? Doing it yourself is not easy. If you want a truly integrated home, you will need to mount cameras, install thermostats, wire your speaker systems, and trickiest of all, get your separate devices working and communicating with each other. You don’t want to juggle different remotes and phone apps; everything should work in unison together automatically. To achieve that, you’ll need the assistance of a smart home company.

To decide if the professional or DIY route is best for you, continue reading to discover how a smart home integrator can help your Guilford, CT home.

Everything You Need to Know About Getting Your Outdoor Spaces Connected

It is finally spring in New England, and we're ready to enjoy the sunshine and warmer temperatures. The summer is not long in Rhode Island, so we need to make the most of it. One way to maximize our time outside is to bring our entertainment with us.

And it’s not all TVs and screen time- you might also want enjoy some relaxing music along with your summer read. Most of us stream music now for the sheer convenience of having millions of songs at your fingertips, and that requires internet access. Is your network installation up to the demands of servicing all the devices in your outside spaces?

The outdoor spaces are often neglected when setting up a home network. And there’s nothing worse than not having access to your apps and services outdoors. But C&T Systems can help!

 As experts in networking and smart home technology, we understand that a robust network is a critical element underpinning the modern home’s technology. Read on to learn more about what we can do to ensure your Westerly, RI home is always connected, no matter where you are, indoors and out.

Adjusting Your Circadian Rhythm Starts with Your Home

As people grow increasingly more concerned about the effect technology and social media have on mental health, it may seem counterintuitive to suggest technology can improve your well-being.

But tunable lighting (lights that allow you to adjust the color and hue) is proven to have several mental and physical health benefits. If you’re considering a new home lighting control upgrade in your Guilford, Connecticut-area home, continue reading to discover how tunable lighting is transforming personal wellness.

From Nautical to Neoclassical in Newport, You’ll be in Style

No one can say that we don’t have varied weather on the East Coast. From bone-chilling winters to humid summers and everything in between, we’ve got it all. Fortunately, the waterfront location on the Rhode Island coast tempers the weather just enough to make the snowstorms slightly less worse and bring the cool sea air in the summer.

In the winter, when the light is at a premium, we might want to let in as much of it as possible. In the summer with a hot sun, we may want to control it better and minimize the use of air conditioning.

What’s the solution? The easiest way is with motorized shades, where you can touch a button – or issue a voice command – and raise or lower window treatments in seconds. Shades can be lowered when the sun is fully streaming in but can be raised to enjoy the view later, especially if you happen to have one of Narragansett Bay or the Atlantic.

Many people think that to get this automated convenience you need to limit yourself on style. That may have been true in earlier days, but there are a plethora of options now with motorized shades. C&T Systems works with Lutron for motorized shading as well as their lighting control systems because both offer a wealth of possibilities. Read on to learn more about Lutron Sivoia QS and Serena shading to see if they're right for your Newport-area residence.