Have you found the perfect vacation or retirement home in Miramar Beach? You're likely very excited about your new Florida Panhandle property. If it's a lot that you are going to custom build or an existing home that you will remodel or perhaps extend, you will want to plan early for lighting control and other smart home features.

The best way to prepare your home for smart lighting and automation is to bring in a Lutron dealer early in the design phase. Then you can more easily integrate the latest solutions like tunable Ketra lighting, motorized window treatments, and more that will make your Miramar Beach home more luxurious, comfortable, and efficient. Explore the benefits of working with a Lutron dealer below.

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!

In the sunny Florida Panhandle, window shades are a must for a variety of reasons, most of which are likely obvious to you. You want to control the sun for heat buildup, protect your interiors from too much UV ray exposure, and add privacy to your Santa Rosa Beach home.

Of course, all that can be achieved without powering your shades. So, can manual shades compete with custom motorized shades? Let the comparison begin!

When designed well, your backyard can feel like a nice escape from home—even though you haven’t technically left. Fresh air, outdoor views, a bubbling hot tub, and good company is often all it takes!

Still, unexpected weather changes can force you right back inside if your outdoor living spaces aren’t equipped with the protection needed from extreme temperatures, sunrays, bugs, and rain.

When you add motorized outdoor shades to your Atlanta, GA backyard, you can keep these elements at bay and enjoy your exterior living spaces all day long and in any season! Below, learn four smart ways to use motorized outdoor shades for extended fun in the sun (or moonlight).