Control the light and privacy in a room no matter where you are with smart shades! If you’re shopping for the best window covering, take a look! 

Although remote-controlled motorized window solutions have been available for some time, smart blinds continue to change the game because of all the extra features they provide. Imagine seeing your home's blinds automatically close once the sun sets or opening your window blinds every morning without getting out of bed!  Installing smart blinds in your home provides all these conveniences and more. If you&rsquo;re curious about how they can benefit your home, read on to learn the basics!

<h1>What Are Smart Shades?</h1>
Smart shades are window coverings that can be controlled remotely, typically with a smartphone or voice assistant. They offer a convenient way to manage light and temperature in your home, as well as privacy and security. Ultimately, they can help you reduce your energy consumption and electricity bill. These shades can be powered via batteries, solar panels, wires, or DC adapters.
<img alt="man using smart shade automation " height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q4_2022/CI_everything-about-smart-shades_1.jpg" width="700" />
And don&rsquo;t worry, there are numerous styles of smart blinds. You can get wooden slatted blinds, fabric roller blinds, or heat-retaining honeycomb blinds. You can also buy smart blinds in a variety of colors, fabrics, and finishes to match your decor, just as with traditional blinds.

<h1>What Are the Benefits of Smart Shades?</h1>
There are several benefits of using smart shades in your home:

Energy efficiency: Smart shades can help you conserve energy by automatically adjusting to the sunlight coming in. This can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing your energy bills.

Comfort and convenience: Smart shades offer a convenient way to manage light and temperature in your home. With just a few taps on your smartphone, you can adjust the shading to suit your needs or schedule the shades to go down or up at certain times of the day.

Privacy and security: Smart shades can provide an extra layer of privacy and security for your home. When closed, they can prevent people from seeing inside, and when controlled remotely, you can make it seem like people are home. And some models even include features like automatic locking when activated, making it harder for intruders to break in.
<img alt="remote control panel for motorized roller shades" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q4_2022/CI_everything-about-smart-shades_2.jpg" width="700" />
<h1>What Are the Different Styles of Smart Shades?</h1>
As mentioned before, there are several different styles of smart shades available on the market:

Roller shades: Roller shades are a type of window covering that consists of a piece of fabric that rolls up or down to cover the window. They&rsquo;re typically made from lightweight materials like cloth, paper, or plastic and look smooth no matter their position.

Roman shades: Roman shades are a type of window covering that folds up accordion-style when raised. They&rsquo;re usually made from heavier fabrics like wool, linen, or cotton. They provide the look of traditional window curtains with some modernization added.

Honeycomb shades: Honeycomb shades are a type of window covering with several layers of fabric connected by small honeycomb-shaped cells. These cells help trap air, making the shades more energy-efficient.
<img alt="smart blinds with remote control" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q4_2022/CI_everything-about-smart-shades_3.jpg" width="700" />
<h1>What Are the Best Smart Shades?</h1>
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing the best smart shades for your home:

Material:&nbsp; The shade's material will affect its appearance, durability, and how well it insulates your home. And you can always choose a material that matches your d&eacute;cor and needs (with regard to technology and features).

Color:&nbsp; The color of the shade can also affect its appearance and insulation properties. Darker colors will absorb more heat, making them better for cooling your home in the summer. Lighter colors will reflect more heat, making them better for keeping your home warm in the winter.

Size:&nbsp; Make sure to measure your windows before you buy smart shades. You&rsquo;ll need to know the width and height of the window so you can choose a shade that&rsquo;s the right size.

Controls:&nbsp; Smart shades typically come with remote control, but some models also include features like voice control or a smartphone app control. Choose a model that has the most convenient controls for you and your home.

Installation:&nbsp; While you can purchase some DIY smart window coverings, many require custom installation. If you choose a DIY model and decide to install it yourself, you should be aware that setting them up to connect to Wi-Fi is difficult for a lot of people. So, it's best to leave smart shade installation to the pros.
<img alt="motorized shades in room" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q4_2022/CI_everything-about-smart-shades_Header.jpg" width="700" />
<h1>Why Smart Shades?</h1>
For your home's windows, smart shades are typically a better option than drapes for a number of reasons.
For example, window shades, especially smart shades, are significantly more effective in controlling light and are simpler and more convenient to clean.  Additionally, window coverings give any room a much more trendy and modern appearance than curtains do.

Smart window treatments are also a substantial and long-lasting investment for your house. They cost more upfront than typical shades or curtains, but many have found the expense worthwhile. This is particularly true for people who have large windows, windows that are difficult to reach, or those who want to reduce their electricity costs by better restricting sunlight.

<h2>Conclusion</h2>
Overall, smart blinds are a fantastic investment that many homeowners should consider. And we have many different types of smart shades available, so you&rsquo;re sure to find one that meets your needs at Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation. Keep in mind that although smart shades can be more expensive than traditional window coverings, they can help you save money on your energy bills in the long run. If you&rsquo;re ready to add smart shades to your home, schedule a consultation. And if you have any questions before your appointment, don&rsquo;t hesitate to <a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts/" target="_blank">give us a call</a>!

Smart Shades: Everything You Absolutely Need to Know 

Looking to transition into parenthood easily? A smart nursery can be the key! If you are designing your nursery, take a look at these key gadgets.  

Let&rsquo;s face it&mdash;babies need a lot of attention. Whether it's eating, changing their diapers, overall healthcare, etc., there&rsquo;s so much to do, but what if there were clever methods to make it all simpler? Thanks to smart technology, you can use your smartphone to ease this new part of your life and assist you in taking care of your infant at the same time. With the push of a button (or with your voice), smart nursery tech can monitor the temperature, operate the lights, and play lullabies.

There are many options to take into account while designing a smart nursery. Let&rsquo;s look at some of our best options for customizing your child&rsquo;s nursery.

<h2>1. Smart Baby Monitors</h2>

Smart baby monitors can help first-time parents feel much more at ease by taking some of the unpredictability out of caring for their baby, especially while balancing working from home. Modern monitors are available in wired and wireless versions with live video streaming and a variety of other features, such as breathing, heart rate, and room temperature monitoring. So, if you can&rsquo;t quite leave your desk just yet, you can still keep an eye on them. And if your baby wakes up, you can use your smartphone to talk to them and lull them back to sleep, thanks to the two-way voice communication capabilities. Or you can use it to speak with another caregiver who is in the same room as your child.
<img alt="Baby monitor on the desk in home office" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20building-a-smart-nursery_1.jpg" width="700" />
A standalone or wall-mounted HD video monitor with night vision provides a live feed of your baby&rsquo;s crib to your phone while simultaneously monitoring the room&rsquo;s temperature and humidity levels and monitoring the infant&rsquo;s sleep patterns. The software can even utilize this data to suggest ways for them to sleep better, ensuring that everyone has a better night&rsquo;s sleep.

Another alternative for monitoring your child as they sleep is to use a wearable baby monitor. Their breathing and heart rate are monitored by devices that communicate the data directly to you via your phone using technology like pulse oximetry. For premature babies and infants with medical issues, wearable monitoring is an excellent option, both alone and in conjunction with a video display.

<h2>2. Smart Bassinets &amp; Cribs</h2>

Another smart nursery essential is a smart bassinet. When a baby cries, smart bassinets can recognize it and instantly calms them with motion and lullabies. Additionally, some systems even adapt to your baby&rsquo;s needs and can automatically up the motion or music to soothe them.

Similar to bassinets, smart cribs can detect when a baby is waking up and lull them to sleep with a soothing bouncing motion that imitates what a parent would do. When employing smart cribs, parents who struggle with a baby who enjoys moving can see significant advancements toward independent sleep.
<img alt="couple looking at instructions for crib" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20building-a-smart-nursery_2.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>3. Smart Thermostats</h2>

Soothing your child to sleep is a must, but so is keeping them warm in those first few months, which is where smart thermostats come in. With a mobile device or voice command, you can effortlessly adjust the temperature of your nursery. You can also fully automate temperature regulation in your nursery by adding smart heating control; the heating is turned down at night and on again in the morning to keep from overheating your child.

Pro Tip: Pairing your smart thermostats with your baby monitor is a great option as well, so you can adjust based on your baby&rsquo;s temp or the current room temp.

<h2>4. Smart lighting</h2>

As your baby grows and starts getting the urge to explore and sneak out of their cribs, a smart lighting system is a great tool. You can program your lights to come on automatically when a sensor is triggered. The trigger can be a sensor located on the door or a motion sensor on a wall; that way, no funny business goes on without you being alerted.

But that&rsquo;s not all smart lights can do for your nursery. They can also be used for bedtime and display a light show that helps your baby drift off to dreamland easier. You can also program timers or specific schedules for when your smart lights turn on and even set up rules that trigger them in a special circumstance. Some light systems can also be programmed with music and connected to voice control devices.
<img alt="mother holding baby while using smart phone" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20building-a-smart-nursery_3.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>5. Smart Shades</h2>

You might not think it, but smart shades are a nursery must-have. Installing smart blind control in your smart nursery can help support the natural waking process. You can program them to go up in the morning and down during the evening or afternoon when your little one is going to take a nap. This is great if you're trying to help your baby adjust to a set sleep time.

<h2>6. Smart Plugs</h2>

Another smart nursery technology essential is a smart plug. With a smart plug, you can use your phone to wirelessly operate any appliance that plugs into an outlet. A smart plug can be used with virtually any other plugged-in device, including fans, humidifiers, and other small appliances. It won&rsquo;t matter if these devices don&rsquo;t have smart technology; you&rsquo;ll still be able to control when to turn them off or on as long as they&rsquo;re plugged into the smart plug!
<img alt="baby nursery interior" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20building-a-smart-nursery_4.jpg" width="700" />
As you can see, with smart technology in your nursery, there are many devices that can give you peace of mind and greatly improve the safety of your child in your home. Whether you&rsquo;re a first-time parent or at kid number three, you can&rsquo;t deny the load a smart nursery takes off your plate.

If you need help planning out your nursery or want more insights, you&rsquo;re at the right place! Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation can help you create the smart nursery or smart home you&rsquo;ve been dreaming of! Get started by booking a consultation with us, and if you have questions before you see us, don't hesitate to <a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts/" target="_blank">give us a call</a>!

5 Essentials to Building a Smart Nursery for Your Baby [+1 Bonus] 

Smart tech makes everything easier, but where should you start in your home? Go room by room! Check out the smart automation options you can do today!

When it comes to smart home automation, there are tons of options to think about, and we mean a TON. But where should you start thinking? We suggest going room by room.
You can add smart technology to just about any room &mdash; ANY room. Can you put smart tech in the bathroom? YES. In the hallway? Yup. In the basement, backyard, or garage? Yes, yes, and yes!
This guide will show you what your smart home can look like in every room!
<h2>Entryway</h2>
<img alt="Beautiful entryway with smart lock" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_1.jpg" title="CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_1.jpg" width="700" />
The entryway &mdash; specifically the door &mdash; is the first place to start automating your home. With a smart door lock, you'll get extra peace of mind from the remote locking, specialized codes, and more. You can set it up so the lock senses whenever your smartphone is near and locks or unlocks the door accordingly. And if you connect it to your smart security system, you can set it so that your security system is armed once the door is locked.
And if you add a smart video doorbell to your home, you can also check on who approaches your home from anywhere and remotely talk to them through the speaker, which is helpful if you get a lot of deliveries!
Pro Tip: Add entry sensors to the windows and door and always be alerted to any movement!
<h2>Living Room</h2>
When it comes to the living room, you can do many things with smart automation, including automating your lights, smart vacuum, speakers, and smart TV.
<ul>
<li>Smart Bulbs: last 10x longer than regular bulbs, use 8.5 watts of electricity, are easy to install, and let you change the color, brightness or dimness, and lighting schedule. You can set up rules to switch on the porch or path light as you come home.</li>
<li>Smart Vacuum: Set it so the smart vacuum only runs when you're out of the house, so you don't have to deal with the noise.</li>
<li>Smart Speakers: Helps control the entertainment through voice-activated commands or your smartphone.</li>
<li>Smart TV: Operate TV through multiple options, including voice command and smartphone usage, so you don't have to worry about losing the remote.</li>
<li>Smart Shades: Keep the room perfectly shaded by setting up a schedule or automating it to close whenever there is light.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Kitchen</h2>
<img alt="Woman using voice commands in the kitchen with smart speaker" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_2.jpg" title="CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_2.jpg" width="700" />
The kitchen is another great room to add smart technology. With a voice-activated speaker, you can operate other smart appliances with just your voice. You can also add to your shopping list and have your phone remind you what you need when you're in the store, play music, make phone calls, check the weather, ask questions, and play games.
And don't forget about smart plugs! These handy little devices can turn almost any appliance into a smart one. You can automatically switch off lights or appliances if they are plugged into the smart outlets.
<h2>Bedroom</h2>
In the bedroom, you can use similar automation to the other parts of your home, like smart plugs to operate your lamps and a smart speaker for voice commands. But you can also add a smart CO detector for better reliability, and a smart smoke alarm that won't chirp at you all night because of a low battery.
And as a cherry on top, when you add smart shades to your bedroom, you can wake up to natural light automatically and keep it nice and dark for when you want to sleep.
<h2>Bathroom</h2>
<img alt="Woman using smart mirror to start her day" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_3.jpg" title="CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_3.jpg" width="700" />
You might not think it, but you can significantly benefit from adding smart home technology to your bathroom:
<ul>
<li>Smart Outlets: Plug in small, handheld appliances like a flat iron and never worry about leaving it on when no one is home.</li>
<li>Water-Resistant Speakers: Keep connected while starting your day and get acquainted with your schedule.</li>
<li>Smart Bathroom Mirrors: Work like built-in TVs where you can catch the morning news, get the weather report, or even catch a show.</li>
<li>Digital Scale: Connect a digital scale to your phone to better track your fitness and health</li>
</ul>
Pro Tip: Treat yourself to even more luxury with heated floors and heated toilet seats that you can control remotely!
<h2>Hallway</h2>
Another place to add smart home tech is your hallway, specifically with a smart thermostat. This way, you can program your AC and heating to more energy-efficient settings, especially when no one is home. And the more you use it, the more the thermostat will anticipate your needs, so you don't always have to keep messing with the settings.
You can also add indoor cameras to keep track of the comings and goings in your home, monitor your children, and see what you're pets are up to.
<h2>Basement</h2>
Smart tech in the basement? Yes. Whether you use your basement as a guest room, laundry room, man cave, etc., adding smart technology can only benefit you. For instance, with water leak sensors, you can immediately know the second there is a burst pipe or faulty water heater. And if you connect it to a smart shut-off valve, you can even turn it off remotely.
Some water leak sensors even alert you to standing water and persistently damp areas in hard-to-see places like inside the walls so you can avoid mold. If you want to get fancy, you can connect these sensors to your upstairs smart lights, so they flash in warning whenever there is a leak.
Pro Tip: Add glass break sensors to the windows and instantly know if there is an intruder (connect to your smart security system to alert the authorities automatically).
<h2>Backyard</h2>
<img alt=" Security camera set up in the backyard" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_4.jpg" title="CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_4.jpg" width="700" />
When it comes to your backyard, there might not be a lot to automate. But with security cameras, you can easily keep track of what's going on in the yard and be instantly alerted to suspicious activity. And while most security cameras can do that, with a smart security system, the technology will tell the difference between an intruder and a randy raccoon.
You can also install a pet camera to monitor where they go when they're outside. Additionally, you can also add motion sensors to your landscape lights and connect them to your security system and feel even more secure
Pro Tip: If you have a pool, children, and pets, keep everyone safe with pool sensors that instantly alert you to water movement in case someone falls in.
<h2>Garage</h2>
<img alt="Two-door garage closed tight in nice home" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_5.jpg" title="CI_Automate-Every-Room-in-Home_5.jpg" width="700" />
If you have a garage, it's in your best interest to automate those doors in addition your home's front door. With a smart garage door opener, you'll know if and when the door is left open, be able to close it remotely with a Wi-Fi connection, and set up alerts for whenever the doors open and close.
And if you're always getting deliveries and don't want them to pile up at the front door, you can direct drivers to leave the packages inside the garage with your smart video doorbell and close the garage when they leave.
<h2>Time to Automate</h2>
As you can see, there are endless possibilities when it comes to automating your home with <a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/catalog/electronics-automation-control/" target="_blank">smart technology</a>. So don't wait; Start planning your dream smart home with Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation today!
<a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts/" target="_blank">Contact our team</a> to set up a consultation appointment and learn more about what your smart home can look like!

Room by Room Automation: How to Automate Every Room in Your Home with Smart Tech

A bland office space means bland work. But with custom solutions, you can make your workplace more organized and efficient. Check out what you can do today! 

Smart home automation is supporting an increasing number of homeowners in making their lives easier. But did you know that smart technology and automation can also help your business run more smoothly? Commercial automation can easily enhance the efficiency and productivity of your workplace.

In this blog, we'll go over what commercial automation technologies you can use to streamline your workflow in the office or at home! The first thing you want to do is to think about everything in your office that could become more useful using technology. Then explore your options!

<h2>Voice Control</h2>

Voice control is typically thought of as a luxury item for the home. It serves as a personal assistant for completing basic household activities. But, it can also translate well into business use!  Here's how:

Individual Offices: Spoken control devices make it simple to alter the temperature and lights, take notes, ask for an online search, and make phone calls with a single voice command. There's no need to waste time switching tasks and risk losing concentration.
Conference Rooms: Let's imagine you're in charge of a meeting that includes several technology devices such as laptops, projectors, lighting control systems, and possibly more.

If your business automation has voice control, you can adjust the lights and start your presentation with a simple voice command. With this technology handling the heavy lifting, you can concentrate on making a great first impression, no problem. Just imagine the effect when the lights go out, and the presentation begins at your command!
<img alt="woman working at home talks to virtual assistant" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20smart-home-office-guide_1.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Climate And Lighting Control</h2>

In an office space, there are always some people who prefer it cold, while others prefer it warmer. It can be difficult for businesses to please each employee. But, thanks to smart technology, it's now a lot easier. Employees can now manage the temperature in the office, saving money and energy.

Intelligent climate control systems recognize user preferences and usage patterns and adjust the temperature as needed. Employees can use their web browsers and smartphone apps to control smart thermostats, so they don't have to leave their work zones.

Similarly, with a single tap on the screen, you can operate windows, doors, and lights. If you work from home and merely want to change the temperature of the room you're in, this is ideal.
<img alt="smart control system in office" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20smart-home-office-guide_2.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Smart Devices</h2>
<h2></h2>
One of the most significant advantages of switching to smart home technology is the ability to remotely manage an electrical device or appliance from your smartphone, tablet, smartwatch, smart speaker, or computer &mdash; from nearly anywhere. Even if you have a standard lamp, fan, or other non-smart equipment, you can easily and inexpensively convert it to a smart device by plugging it into a smart plug.

Smart plugs, as you'll see, are both inexpensive and simple to use. When you plug something into one of these adapters, you can control it with voice commands through a digital assistant.
<img alt="woman communicating virtually in home office" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20smart-home-office-guide_3.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Motorized Shades</h2>

Did you know you can streamline your window shades? You can use motorized shading to darken the space for a presentation or meeting if your boardroom or home office has a lot of windows and natural light. Shades can also be used to ensure privacy for meetings involving sensitive company information.

In other circumstances, you can be having a meeting and want as much natural light as possible to illuminate the space. With a simple press of a button, you can open or close the shades as needed.

This is especially handy if your schedule includes many presentations and meetings that are close together. You won't even have to bother about getting up and manually adjusting the shades at the start or during the meeting. But you don&rsquo;t have to limit smart shades to your conference rooms; you can also use them throughout your office space to let in more natural light as needed!
<img alt="man working from computer in home office" height="400" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_ci/Q3_2022/CI_%20smart-home-office-guide_4.jpg" width="700" />
Ultimately, it is because of this dependability that automation is such an essential element of your work success, whether at home or in the office. Whereas regular working days may be disrupted, automation is unaffected.

In times of change or interruption, smart automation solutions will keep your organization running smoothly. To get started on your office automation, <a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact</a> Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation today for a consultation! We're ready to help you take your business solution to the next level!

3 Features of A Smart Office That Will Transform Your Workflow [+1 Bonus] 

Find out how motorized shades let you decide when to let sunshine in and when to enjoy more privacy.

<img src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-motorized-shades-header.jpg" width="700" />
While it&rsquo;s probably safe to say that most of us enjoy spending time in the backyard when the weather is nice, that can quickly turn miserable if you end up just baking in the sun. Motorized shades not only add shade to your outdoor environment, but also give you the flexibility to control when, where, and how much shade you want. No more messing around with trying to get the umbrellas in just the right spot. No more turning cranks until you can&rsquo;t feel your arms. Just flip a switch, grab a remote, or open an app on your smart device and voil&aacute;!
Motorized outdoor shades have several convenient options, such as different levels of opaqueness for controlling how much light you want to come through, or a centralized control panel for home automation integration. They can be controlled via a remote or direct wall control, and you can even set a schedule for them to automatically transition at different times of day. Some motorized wall shades are Bluetooth-enabled and can be controlled from your smartphone or another device.
As well as the obvious shade in your outdoor environment, many people enjoy the extra layer of privacy that a shade affords &mdash; especially if neighbors or other people are visible from your yard or patio. Some motorized shades feature automatic sensors that can detect harsh weather conditions such as wind and rain and adjust their position accordingly. They can also keep out insects and other pests.
In addition to these practical benefits, motorized shades are visually pleasing. There are no hanging chains or cords in the way, and there are options to style them to match your home&rsquo;s aesthetic.
There are two (2) main options for motorized outdoor shades:
<ol>
<li>Battery-powered: These are simple and affordable as they don&rsquo;t require extra wiring. They&rsquo;re also the least disruptive to existing home infrastructure and are great for areas that may not be close to an outlet. Battery-powered shades are reliable and can last up to three years before needing a battery replacement.</li>
<li>Hard-wired: These require a bit more effort to install depending on whether the shade location has been prewired for power. If not, a wire needs to be run to your home&rsquo;s electrical supply. Once connected, you&rsquo;ve eliminated the need to ever change batteries.</li>
</ol>
You can also install motorized outdoor shades on the exterior of your home to prevent the sun from entering your house through the windows, which helps to keep your house cool. It&rsquo;s nice to have the convenience of a motorized shade you can operate from indoors, and that doesn&rsquo;t take up any interior space.
<img src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-motorized-shades-outdoor-space.jpg" width="700" />
<h2>Call or Visit Us</h2>
If you&rsquo;re thinking of extending your smart home technology to encompass the ease and comfort of motorized outdoor shades, or just to learn more about them, <a href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts/" target="_blank">contact us</a> at Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation to hear about the various options and benefits.

Adding Comfort to Outdoor Spaces with Motorized Shades

Smart shades are one of the most exciting new areas of smart home technology, and can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home.

Vacation is over, back to school is getting closer and closer, and for some reason the world seems to expect a lot out of people come fall, even though most of us are still recovering from the long, fun-filled summer months.
There&rsquo;s one new thing everybody should put on their fall to-do lists, though &ndash; and that&rsquo;s smart shading.
Smart shades are one of the most exciting new areas of smart home technology, and can make a huge difference in the look and feel of your home. Check out how smart shades can instantly uplift your home and have it ready for the fall months that lie ahead. &nbsp;
<h2>And ... Scene</h2>
Life isn&rsquo;t so much one big moment as it is a tapestry of little moments, strung together by our human memories. And if we can improve upon all of those little moments, we can make life just that much better.
Enter smart shading.
With smart shading solutions from Savant (say that ten times fast!) you can easily set your home&rsquo;s shading for the seasons or the weather. Your shades can be scheduled to move with the time of day or the position of the sun. It&rsquo;s pitch-perfect control over life&rsquo;s little moments, but on a grand scale.
<img alt="Man controlling blinds with app on his phone." src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_promotions/ci-smart-shades-1.jpg" title="nullplus" width="700" />
<h2>Cultured Convenience</h2>
After a long day of cleaning, working, chasing the kids around, and all of the other &ldquo;super fun&rdquo; things that make up being an adult that our parents never warned us about, adding another task to the chore list can sound like, well, a chore.
Take this, for example: You sit down after a long, hard day and sit down to watch the TV. The setting sun is behind you, and the glare from it is coming through the WINDOWS AND RUINING YOUR TV OH MY WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

Get up and close the shades yourself? Psh. That&rsquo;s like making your own caviar &ndash; sure, you could do it, but why would you? Instead, grab your Lutron remote and use it to adjust the shades, all without getting up off your seat. Now that&rsquo;s the power -- and luxury -- of smart home automation.
<h2>Hi-Roller</h2>
With all the tossing out and cleaning that happens throughout the year, that also means there&rsquo;s a lot of room for new housing upgrades, as well. If you&rsquo;ve been a follower of our blog for some time, you probably have a lot of the smart home basics already equipped, which means you might be looking for something to really up your game.
Smart shades are a great way to do that. For example, if you go with Crestron smart shades and their exclusive Quiet Motor Technology, you can have shades move at your whim with silent operation. They also have a longer life than other motors, which means that you won&rsquo;t have to worry about anything happening to these shades for seasons and seasons to come.
<img alt="Smart shading blinds controlled with remote." src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/media/avb-socialmedia-images/2021-August/Blog%20Social-CI-week1.jpg" title="U.J Alexander" width="700" />
Don&rsquo;t feel like you need to set up your home&rsquo;s smart shadings all on your own. <avb-link data-href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts" target="_blank">Give us a call today</avb-link> and we&rsquo;ll be glad to discuss all of the smart shading options we have available, and help you find the best ones for your home and your needs.&nbsp;

How Smart Shading is Handy for Fall

Get ready for summer with smart shading solutions! These options will look great in any home!

Summer is exciting for many reasons: No distance or in-person school, beach vacations, poolside staycations, and of course, the warm weather. But what about when you are inside and want to keep some of that sunlight out?
That&rsquo;s what smart shades are for!
<img alt="Hand holding smart phone controls blinds with an app" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-smart-blind-app.jpg" title="iStock Credit: nullplus" width="724" />
We love talking about smart shading, and it&rsquo;s because we love smart shading solutions! And there&rsquo;s a good reason for it &ndash; it adds a whole other layer of control to your smart home. You&rsquo;ll never have to sacrifice your taste for fabulous design for smart shades either &ndash; here are different styles of smart shades that will help make your summer and your house as cool as can be.
<h2>Roller Shades</h2>
Somehow even cooler than roller blades, roller shades are cool, they&rsquo;re cool. They&rsquo;ll help keep your house cooler, all with the attractive roller look that can fit in anywhere. &nbsp;
<h2>Horizontal Sheer Blinds</h2>
For homeowners with nosy neighbors or privacy concerns, you can get more control over seeing in and out of your windows with sheer smart blinds. Even if you&rsquo;re the nosy neighbor, no one outside will be able to tell you&rsquo;re peeking! Combine that freedom with the familiar functionality of blinds, and you have a winning &ndash; and sun blocking &ndash; combination.
<img alt="Bedroom deck with sheer horizontal blinds. One side up. One side down." src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-sheer-blinds.jpg" title="iStock Credit: Solidago" width="700" />
<h2>Pleated Shades</h2>
The Z-shaped pleats of pleated shades spruce up any room in your home. Who would say no to smart window treatments that add oomph to your adventurous and bold expressions of self? We sure wouldn&rsquo;t.
<h2>Wood/Venetian Blinds</h2>
The best of both worlds, made better &ndash; with wood Venetian shades, you get privacy and a trickle of sunlight in your room. Some manufacturers even give you independent precision controls over the tilt angle and the vertical lift!
<h2>Drapery Track System, or Electric Curtains</h2>
Fashion meets function, finally. No more manually opening the drapes for you! With a smart shading drapery track system, you can easily control your draperies from wherever you want.
<img alt="Modern villa interior, large sofa and armchairs, coffee table and lot of sunlight" src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-automatic-drapery.jpg" title="iStock Credit: ExperienceInteriors" width="724" />
<h2>Honeycomb Shades</h2>
Hungry for honeycomb? Of course you are, but you should probably save your sweet tooth for something besides these shades. Honeycomb shades provide fantastic insulation, and depending on the unique look you decide on, they can be as subtle or as eye-catching as you desire. &nbsp;
<h2>Roman Shades</h2>
Rome wasn&rsquo;t built in a day, and neither was your house. Roman shades are for those of you who enjoy quiet &ndash; these shades are practically silent in their movement.
<img alt="Interior of the room, workplace near window, light furniture, desk, blue roman blind, wall shelves. " src="https://d6y5eqdcxq8w3.cloudfront.net/assets/blog/blog_electronics/ci-smart-roman-blind.jpg" title="iStock Credit: Valeriy_G" width="724" />
As the temperature rises and the sun shines for longer each day, it&rsquo;s time to get shades that go down easily. And who wants to make the daily rounds to adjust shades every morning and night as the sun and temperature change? We don&rsquo;t &ndash; and we bet you don&rsquo;t either.
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<avb-link data-href="https://www.gleesonsav.com/contacts" target="_blank" class="dsg-block-1-link">Contact us</avb-link> today at <avb-link data-href="tel:609-399- 4910">609-399- 4910</avb-link> and we’ll walk you through all of the possible smart shading options for your home. Our teams at Gleeson's Home Entertainment and Automation are happy to look into any further custom integration needs you have, as well. Let us help you make sure your smart home feels like a home! 
		 
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Get ready for summer with smart shading solutions. These options will look great in any home!

Open Up to Smart Shade Options

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Blog

Smart Shades: Everything You Absolutely Need to Know

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Room by Room Automation: How to Automate Every Room in Your Home with Smart Tech

3 Features of A Smart Office That Will Transform Your Workflow [+1 Bonus]

Adding Comfort to Outdoor Spaces with Motorized Shades

How Smart Shading is Handy for Fall

Open Up to Smart Shade Options

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