Every house needs lighting and all homes can benefit from a control system which covers all aspects of lighting the home. This includes internal and external lighting; feature and architectural lighting; security lighting; vacation mode; control via the Internet and automatic control of blinds and curtains.

Practical examples include
• Illuminated pathways leading the way from the master bedroom to the kitchen, for example, or from the garage to the kitchen.
• Integration of the lighting system with security by triggering internal and external lights
• Replication of lighting patterns played back automatically when the house is empty.
• Whole house control of lighting from one button.

Music complements the environment of just about every room of the house and today it is common to watch TV or satellite films in several areas of the house. A home cinema set up is essential to fully enjoy DVD’s at home, and if you like the thought of having music at your fingertips throughout the house or even in the garden without equipping each area with its own stereo, a sound server holding all your music is becoming standard kit whether the music is stored on an i-Pod™ or a dedicated unit.
All of these systems can be added at the time of your choosing as long as the correct cables have been installed

Digital telephones and broadband internet access are the norm in today’s modern home and not just in one room but across the whole home. Wireless internet access has become more reliable and much cheaper but still relies on a fully wired backbone.
Cabling such as CAT5e can ensure that a network connection is available in every room and also allows for systems to be controlled from off site locations.

A security system should protect the entire home and encompasses Intruder Alarms, IP Cameras, Fire and Smoke Detection, Shutters and Grills and In-while-Out systems. All these systems are designed to enhance your security but not to turn it into an inaccessible fortress. When a Security System is integrated with a Lighting Control System, a triggered alarm can be programmed to turn on or flash external lighting; a key feature for remote properties which may be hard for emergency services to find.

This encompasses the opening and closing of gates from the comfort of your car and turning on driveway lights at the same time so you can see your way easily to the house. With an integrated control system and with the right cables planned for and installed, this type of operation is possible. Motorised garage doors opening can not only switch on the garage lights, but also trigger the lights to illuminate a pathway to the house entrance. Other access control systems to consider include locks and automatic latches for doors, windows and gates plus door entry systems so you can see who is at the gates or front door without leaving the comfort of your sofa

All homes have heating systems but most have independent control which is typically in the form of a thermostat on the wall. Thermostat-controlled radiator valves are also fairly common and some systems provide automatic control across the whole house. Other systems that fall under this category include Heat Recovery, Climate Control, hot water services and energy saving. Like the rest of the systems it is essential to get the right cabling in place in the first instance.