CEDIA is the global trade association for thousands of companies who design, manufacture, and install cutting-edge technology for the home. Working closely with interior designers, architects, developers, and directly with homeowners, CEDIA members (technology integrators) are renowned for delivering amazingly imaginative and innovative integrated home solutions, improving the lifestyles of homeowners in some of the nest properties across the UK. Integrating technology into the home requires a proper framework from the very early stages of a project to ensure that services can be delivered efficiently and reliably. Ensuring you have the right cabling infrastructure or by installing a simple system from the get-go, will act as a foundation that can be expanded at any point in future. Following these simple steps, you can ensure that everything is in place for your ultimate integrated home.
The right people
In order to achieve the best system for you and your lifestyle, it is recommended to build a strong working relationship with a technology integrator from the outset. CEDIA members are best equipped with the latest technical training and industry knowledge, as well as project management and installation techniques. They will be able to offer professional assistance and guidance in the design of a personalised system, as well as ongoing service support for home automation systems. They can integrate music and TV throughout the home, create media rooms and dedicated home cinemas, install lighting, heating, security, data network systems, and more into your property.
CEDIA members offer the most up-to-date technology systems at all levels to provide a broad selection for your requirements, ultimately helping to create a customised solution that not only meets the brief but surpasses expectations. CEDIA offers a Finder Service on its website which allows homeowners to locate their nearest integrator. Users can search CEDIA member companies by town, state, services, and certification.
The right foundations
When it comes to an integrated home, a reliable and stable infrastructure is the most important part of any project. In addition to this, a supportive cabling structure helps create a sleek, wire-free look on completion. For major new build and home renovation projects, cabling should be considered from the very beginning and this should take place at the start of the build stage. Cables cannot be easily retrofitted, nor can space for the essential boxes driving a system be easily found, once the property has already been decorated. A wired infrastructure can set up the home for future applications, whilst still preserving the attractive decor of the home and adding value.
The right technology
Every project is different, and every homeowner has different priorities and needs. To achieve the ultimate integrated home, it is crucial to map out how you and your family want to live, and the kind of technologies that can enable those goals. A professional integrator will work with you to look at floor plans and allocate the kind of technologies that you would like installed in each room. This depends on a number of lifestyle and practical factors, for example, the home cinema may be the pride of place for a movie-buff, but for those who travel often, it may be the security system that holds greater value. This extends to lighting and shading control through to heating, audio, and visual elements, and each should be carefully considered and planned.
A system design needs to be planned and include all positions of the technology. It is important at this stage to have a clear idea of how rooms will work once furnished, so TVs and speakers can be positioned in the optimum positions and all power points and cables can be terminated, so as not to be seen when the equipment is finally installed. As part of this process, you will also need to have a clear budget set in place with the integrator in order to find the best solutions for the brief. It is possible to start off with a basic level of technology and raise the level of complexity at a later date, but you’ll want to understand the cost relating to this beforehand. Ultimately, these steps will ensure you achieve an integrated home that not only operates effectively but fits perfectly within the interior design of the house.
Recognising excellence
The “best of the best” integrated homes are celebrated every year in the annual CEDIA Awards programme which recognises the highest standards of craftsmanship, style, and creativity in this field. CEDIA has unveiled the winners of the 2019 CEDIA Awards for the EMEA region. Winning projects were recognised in home cinema, media room, and integrated home categories. The competition in the region was fierce, but these award-winning projects are genuine stand-outs and prime examples of the exceptionally high level of innovative work CEDIA member integrators are capable of producing.
Further information