Qualified Remodeler Magazine

SEP 2015

Qualified Remodeler helps independent remodeling firms to survive, become more professional and more profitable by providing must-have business information, namely best business practices, new product information and timely design ideas.

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stronger Wi-Fi network to work well or it can be very frustrating." Home automation features may also control outdoor elements, such as fre elements, pools, lighting or fountains, to name a few. "Tere are more and more elements coming online in the house," Janz says. "Generally speaking, if you are putting in a system that has smarts to it, run a conduit to it. It's fairly cheap and a great idea for future planning echnology has infltrated nearly every aspect of life. With the popularity of outdoor living spaces, it's no surprise consumers want to create a total room that includes technological conveniences much like their indoor counterparts. It's important to understand the diferences between indoor and outdoor tech installations, including products used and consumer's entertainment wish lists. As with any project, determining how the client wants to use their outdoor area is the frst step. After establishing end goals, work backward from there. If the home is in proximity to neighbors, be sure to consider them. "You want to enjoy your space, not alienate your neighbors," Greg Peninger, president of ProTex Technologies, Cedar Park, Texas. STAY CONNECTED President and CEO Steve Janz of Inglewood, Calif.-based home automation contractor Technospeak is seeing out- door Wi-Fi as the most popular outdoor tech installation. "Wi-Fi coming from a house doesn't always make it out- doors because low-emission windows have metal oxides in them that will block Wi-Fi signals," he explains. "Don't rely on the fact of good indoor Wi-Fi; a router next to the window doesn't guarantee great Wi-Fi in the back yard." Janz says indoor router manufacturers don't necessarily ofer outdoor access points; rather, an outdoor network connection should be separate from the indoor one. Te popularity of these outdoor access points may stem from many houses today being at least partially automated and controlled through a tablet or cellular phone. "People who have iOS-controlled devices do not quite have the range a PC might," Janz explains. "Tey need to have a Outdoor Entertainment Wi-Fi and other tech products can be critical to providing a full outdoor living experience for many clients By Laurie Banyay T Outdoor Wi-Fi connections could be needed for home automation features, such as fire elements, pools, lighting or fountains. 54 September 2015 QR QualifiedRemodeler.com PROJECTS: QR Outdoors

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