Many people approach the idea of making their home "smart" differently. For years, our industry thrived on simplifying the control of AV equipment. That may not be the first thing you think of these days when it comes to smart tech, but it is still very much integral to the smart home experience. For others, it might be automated lighting and climate control, as those are also uber-popular do-it-yourself smart home products.

Still, others might place more importance on home security, as smart sensors, cameras, and locks offer more ways to keep an eye on the homestead and maintain safety. And there’s more, like automated pool equipment, irrigation systems, and other devices you can turn on or off or control their behavior.

The one thing you want to do when starting with smart home technology is to choose a system that can grow with you and accommodate a wide range of devices and skills to make home control effortless. For many Buckhead, GA homes, the right system that ticks all the boxes is Control4. Keep reading to learn why Control4 is the centerpiece of your smart home, no matter which feature is the most important to you.

We’ve dedicated a lot of virtual ink on these pages to the wonders of home automation. From audio and video systems that almost run themselves, to lighting, motorized shading, climate control, and security, home automation systems like Control4 make everything in your Johns Creek, GA home run like a finely tuned machine. We may also have referred to it as an orchestra, but we think you understand the idea.

Having done many smart home projects over the years, we're always amazed at our clients' imagination when it comes to automation for their homes. If it is technically possible, we'll strive to make our clients’ automation dreams a reality.

With that in mind, we'd like to tell you about a few more things you can automate with a Control4 smart home system. Keep reading!

We are all familiar with things that require routine maintenance. Cars may be the first to come to mind. Oil changes, lube, tune-ups, tire rotations, and other items are standard services that all vehicles need. OK, so electric cars don't need oil changes, filters, or spark plugs, but they require other maintenance too. Closer to home, HVAC systems and other functions need routine maintenance for optimal performance.

Home automation is an increasingly popular upgrade to today’s homes. Homeowners enjoy the many benefits of lighting control, motorized shading, HVAC control, unified AV systems, and integrating all of these through smart home automation systems.

Do home automation systems need maintenance? Should you seek out companies in Marietta, GA (like us) that specialize in home automation services to "tune-up" your system? What services could possibly be needed with some electronics and software? The answers below might surprise you.

Home automation, smart homes, connected devices: whatever you might want to call this set of technologies, they are as inexorable a trend as the smartphone revolution. Scarcely a day goes by without another smart device introduction from companies large and small.

Since it’s the beginning of the year, it’s always a good time to make some fearless prognostications on what will be big in home automation for 2021. But we're not going to take big chances on predictions in this blog; the trends we see are already here and will accelerate even more sharply in 2021. What are they, and how might they affect your Atlanta, GA home? Keep reading below.

Some people become immersed in certain subjects, usually ones they care deeply about. Others might know a few things about a topic but not enough to be dangerous. And sometimes, people think they know some things about a topic, but they turn out to be misconceptions. With so much different information freely available in today's world, it's easy to get lost. 

When it comes to home automation, the casual observer might believe certain “facts” about it, but the truth is a little more nuanced. As a premier home automation company serving the Florida Panhandle area, we’d like to clear up some common misconceptions about home automation for Rosemary Beach homeowners. Please keep reading!

Are we being serious here? Yes and no. After all, as a leading Control4 installer serving Sandy Springs and Metro Atlanta, why would we tell you not to hire us for your smart home needs? So bear with us here for a little tongue-in-cheek look at smart home automation.

Almost every day, a new smart home device hits the market. OK, maybe not every day, but it seems like there’s a new one every day. From devices from industry giants like Amazon to upstarts like Wyze, there are amazing options for remarkably sophisticated smart home functionality. Couple that with the ever-growing software ecosystem from the tech industry’s leaders like Amazon, Apple, and Google, and why would you ever need GHT Group? Well, we’re going to go ahead and tell you three reasons why you might not need us, just in case you couldn’t think of any right off the bat!

Crestron is a company that is unique in the technology business, doing things just a little differently. Founded by George Feldstein in 1969, it has always stayed close to the founder's vision and character. Feldstein was an engineer, tinkerer, and stickler for quality and detail, and his presence is still felt at the company.

Crestron has always been known for high-end automation solutions. In the commercial space, Crestron automates scores of Fortune 500 corporate meeting and boardrooms, including high technology companies like Microsoft. In the residential market, their automation solutions can be found in the largest and most extensive properties, controlling a wide array of functions from climate to sophisticated audio and video distribution systems.

But there’s more to Crestron control systems that are core tenets of how the company operates. Read on to learn more about Crestron automation and why it could be the right choice for your Buckhead, GA home.

It’s safe to say that the smart home revolution is in full swing. From advanced lighting control to immersive whole-home entertainment, the horizon of possibilities for the smart home seems boundless. But with such vast potential comes a myriad of choices. That's where the role of a smart home consultant becomes invaluable. If you're on the cusp of transforming your Atlanta abode with cutting-edge smart technology, here's why a consultant is your key to unlocking the perfect setup.

For all intents and purposes, home automation technology is mainstream these days. A host of companies are making everything from smart light bulbs to thermostats to video doorbells, and many of them are connected to Google, Apple, and Amazon home automation platforms. While it seems like a recent phenomenon, in reality, home automation has been around for decades, and some companies have been at it longer than others.

Crestron is one such company and the one that practically invented home automation. Crestron started in 1971 building a variety of automated machines, and it began focusing on electronics control in the late 1980s with one of the first wireless remotes for commercial systems. The company's long history and focus on automation have made it a staple of control systems from corporate boardrooms to the largest homes.

As the premier smart home company in Metro Atlanta, Georgia Home Theater has years of experience designing and installing custom Crestron control system solutions for homeowners throughout the area. Read on to learn about three ways Crestron stands out from any other home automation solution.

Home automation can encompass many things. From full control of a distributed AV system to tunable lighting, you can go all in with smart home control. But as a home automation company with decades of experience around smart home technology, we’ll be the first to tell you that you don’t have to. Your smart home should be a reflection of what’s important to you and your lifestyle. 

So, you can start with a building block approach to a smarter home in Crestview, FL. To help you, we’ve outlined three strategies to get into smart home automation based on different priorities. Please keep reading below!

Smart home technology is high on the list for homeowners building or remodeling a home or even redoing a living area or an outdoor patio and pool. Control of lights, audio-video systems, shading, and more bring not just convenience but energy efficiency and security benefits as well.  

While some simple smart home features can be addressed with DIY consumer solutions, a truly integrated smart home installation is best left to professionals. They can determine not just what system is best for you now and into the future, but they are also experts in essential infrastructure like cabling, wiring, and networking that will enable your smart home to work fluidly and reliably. 

How do you go about choosing a smart home company for your project in Destin, FL? Keep reading for three critical things to look for in making your decision. 

Home automation devices and systems are everywhere. Walk into any Atlanta Home Depot or Best Buy, and they are prominently featured, not to mention the huge array of devices you may never have heard of on Amazon. These systems do many home automation tasks well, within limits. They control lights, provide entertainment, secure doors, monitor your home, and more. So do you need a professional home automation company to create a smart home? 

As the French say, ça dépend. Or, as we say in Georgia, it depends. You might be able to cobble together a DIY, relatively smart home, but here are some things you’re only going to get from a smart home company. What are they? Keep reading to find out!

We love motorized shades at GHT Group, and it shows in the many blogs we’ve written about them. But there are some shades we haven't written too much about, those from our home automation partner Crestron. As GHT Group has been in audiovisual and smart home technology for over three decades, we are a long-time Crestron dealer. Crestron is a bit like Apple in that they make high-end solutions in all the major product categories – home automation in this case – and when they do something, they do it right. 

If you’re considering a Crestron smart home system or looking to upgrade an existing one, there are several excellent reasons to consider Crestron motorized shading for your Cumming, GA residence. Let’s go into it more below!

What makes for a superior smart home experience? At GHT Group, it’s not just about giving you another way to control your lighting or HVAC system. While it’s undeniably convenient to control lighting from an app, you ultimately want a system that can intelligently and seamlessly manage your home – often without any input from you.

A Crestron system is all about smart control of your Destin, FL property. Whether you’re at home or away, Crestron gives you intelligent management and automation of your home. Here are three ways – out of many – that Crestron delivers a superior smart home experience. 

Crestron is a company with a long history in home and commercial automation and is universally recognized as a pioneer and innovator in the space. But today, a myriad of options exist in smart home technology, from DIY solutions to other professionally installed systems.

Using its expertise in both residential and commercial settings, Crestron has continued to innovate in smart home systems. In particular, three highly sought-after features in today's homes – home offices, video conferencing, and whole-home media systems – play perfectly with Crestron's expertise in all these areas in the commercial space.

As a leading Crestron dealer in Kennesaw and the Metro Atlanta area, GHT Group recommends Crestron solutions for sophisticated homes that demand solutions with commercial-quality performance. Let’s take a closer look at three popular areas where Crestron solutions excel.