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