Serving the Raleigh-Durham area
(919) 590-5535 | sales@elevatehometech.com
Everyone wants tech in their homes, but most homeowners don't want to see it. An extremely fast-growing trend in the tech industry is NOT bigger speakers or higher def TVs, but instead, it's the growing ability to HIDE technology.
In our Continuing Education sessions with architects, we always say "technology is easier to hide than ever before." This is true for speakers, TVs, cameras, and more.
In this issue, we'll showcase some of the most popular methods that homeowners are looking for to blend in technology with their home design. The result is a space that is more intentional while remaining highly functional.
These are everywhere. The Samsung Frame TV took the TV world by storm, and other brands have followed suit. It’s many homeowners’ default pick for their living room TV, blending a solid TV with an aesthetically-pleasing Art Mode, that makes you forget you have a TV.
If you haven’t already gotten this request, it’s only a matter of time before one of your homeowners plans for one of these TVs. The trick is: you have to hide the “guts” of the TV somewhere, since the TV is perfectly flat on the wall. The OneConnect cable that comes with the TV is NOT in-wall rated; it’s not a simple installation. From our experience, there are two ways to do this:
Install a recessed back-box behind the TV to house the OneConnect box, duplex outlet, and streaming device (if using), or,
Install a 2” fire-rated conduit connecting the back of the TV area to a nearby cabinet to house the equipment.
Regardless, these TVs are NOT a simple install, and often the homeowners get stuck with an expensive, challenging, or even impossible install after construction is complete. Planning these TVs early is essential for a clean look, straightforward installation, and a smooth experience for everyone.
This technology is exploding in popularity. “Invisible” sounds too good to be true, but it is: these speakers are 100% invisible after installation.
Here’s how it works: the speaker is installed during framing, fully wired and tested. Then, during drywall, you simply mud over the front face of the speaker. Mudding, sanding, and painting can all proceed as normal, and you end up with a speaker that is fully recessed in the wall but still provides an incredible sound.
Architects and interior designers love this solution for kitchens, living rooms, and other areas where the homeowner wants sound, but it would look awkward on the wall. Instead, use these speakers to create a truly invisible sound system that everyone is happy with.
Whether its a speaker, TV, camera, or touchscreen, there are new ways to integrate devices into the structure of the home. You don’t have to stick a soundbar on the mantle, you can build it INTO the mantle. You don’t have to frame a cavity for a TV, you can get a custom-designed wooden frame for the TV with a built-in premium speaker system.
Every piece of these enclosures can be customized: wood trim, fabric wraps, size, and mounting. In fact, these manufacturers can take samples of the actual wood or material that the enclosure needs to match, and will create a totally unique part that fits exactly what you need.
These are great solutions for areas that have important wood or stone features, where we can perfectly match the feature and create a cohesive space.
TODAY'S PRO TIP
TODAY'S PRO TIPAny time you install a back-box for a Frame TV, put a smart plug in the cavity behind the TV so your clients can easily power cycle their TV without having to take the TV off the wall.
Want to learn more? Let’s chat!
Whether you just have a quick question or you have a new project, we’d be happy to help.
