There was a time when automated home features were only seen in movies, and the thought of them becoming a reality seemed like a far-fetched idea. But today, according to Oberlo, about 60.4 million homes in the US alone have smart devices. We’ve come a long way! 

The comfort and convenience that smart home applications offer (along with several other benefits) make them an excellent option for today’s busy lifestyles, resulting in their ever-increasing popularity. Not sure if it’s worth investing in a smart home in Portland, OR? Read on as we discuss the benefits of smart technologies and home automation, and learn how these devices can change your life! 

Smart technology is appearing nearly everywhere in today’s homes. From thermostats to smart security cameras, motorized window coverings, and intelligent lighting, virtually every aspect is connected and controlled by home automation. And the world of home entertainment is no different.

4K and 8K HDR, QLED, and OLED TVs have become the norm. Media rooms and home theaters with laser projectors, handcrafted screens, and Dolby Atmos surround sound provide epic entertainment. Audio manufacturers artfully craft architectural speakers that deliver high-fidelity sound to every room in our homes and outdoor spaces. And it’s all controlled with one touch on a single intuitive interface. 

As the premier audio-video installation company serving Portland, OR, and the surrounding areas, we’ve watched this incredible transformation unfold. And, while people are anxious to enjoy the ultimate home entertainment, the common questions we receive are about the complexity that goes with it, the equipment involved, and the effect it will have on their home's aesthetics. Will their peaceful, serene retreat suddenly resemble a technology stronghold? 

The answer is a resounding no! With an integrated whole-home audio-video system, you experience high-resolution images and sound from sources that disappear when not in use and are controlled with one tap on a beautiful touchscreen or remote. Let’s see how it’s done. 

Home automation is the foundation of smart homes. The goal is to make your living space more comfortable, convenient, and functional. And Control4 is among the top brands that offer all these qualities. 

But when you wish to implement it in your home, working with a certified Control4 dealer is important. These are professional installers who specialize in designing and implementing home automation systems. Read on to discover how a certified dealer can help transform your home in Portland, OR, into a dream space with Control4 automation. 

Almost everyone we know in Portland, OR, is more than ready to enjoy the upcoming spring and summer. To say 2023 has been a winter to remember is the understatement of the year. The good news? Warmer days are upon us, and soon we’ll be enjoying al fresco dining, cozying up with a good book on the patio, and hosting outdoor celebrations that last long into the night. 

Are you ready to make this your best outdoor season yet? If so, it’s time to consider today’s outdoor speakers. These sound systems are far different than their predecessors, delivering incredible high-resolution music and surround sound-like audio throughout your outdoor spaces. 

Let’s explore the possibilities.

If you’re looking to build a home theater, you’ve probably realized that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. There are so many components of a theater that can (and should!) be customized based on your space and personal preference. For example, you can choose between a TV or a projector and screen. You also get to choose the lighting, seating, and so much more.

You also have many options when it comes to your home theater’s audio system. There are sound bars and two-speaker stereo systems you could choose. But for a truly cinematic experience, you should consider creating a multi-channel home theater. Multi-channel theaters will give that cinematic audio you crave and will astound you with every music note and piece of dialogue. Keep reading to learn more about multi-channel theaters and what they can bring to your Portland, OR, home.

How do you define a life of luxury? For many, it's a sense of safety, security, and extreme comfort. As André Leon Talley described in Vogue, “Luxury is to be able to take control of one’s life, health, and the pursuit of happiness in a way that is joyful.”

Today, home automation offers all of that and more. It brings extreme convenience and ease of living and enhances daily joys. At Eighteen Group, we create user-friendly systems that manage your lighting, climate, entertainment, security, and more automatically or with one touch. 

Let’s explore the world of smart home living and what it offers homeowners and their families in Portland, OR.

A fully automated, integrated audio-visual (AV) system is the cornerstone of any modern smart home. After all, what’s there not to love about streamlining and simplifying the way we enjoy and manage media content? 

At Eighteen Group, AV systems are one of the most popular installations for our clients across Lake Oswego, OR. This extensive industry experience has made us the leading technology installers and integrators in town, and our team knows what it takes to create an unforgettable audio-visual experience at home. 

Here are the advantages of an automated, integrated AV system and why the team of technology integrators at Eighteen Group is your best bet at achieving the setup of your dreams! 

There are many benefits to having natural light in your home, such as a boost to your energy levels, a source of light to reduce energy bills, and sunshine that can improve your mood. Homes in the Portland, OR, area have such beautiful views; it’s no wonder people want to let the natural light in more. 

Many motorized shading options available today provide limited possibilities for allowing natural light while protecting your privacy. But the Hunter Douglas DuoLite roller shade system is here to change all that! Using two fabrics, the DuoLite enables you to manage both light and privacy at the same time. 

We are excited to now offer Hunter Douglas motorized blinds to our customers in Portland! Continue reading to learn more about the DuoLite motorized shading features from Hunter Douglas.

Home entertainment features make your home more engaging and immersive. While there are many ways to boost the fun at home, audio-video integration remains a core entertainment element. 

The simple addition of an AV system can breathe life into your home. The video components allow you to stream movies and TV shows while the audio system fills your home with captivating sound in the form of music, podcasts, audiobooks, and more. 

But there’s more than one way to make use of audio-video integration. Read on to discover the top three ways AV integration can make your Portland, OR, home more entertaining. 

Lighting control should offer you more than simply the ability to turn lights on and off and change the illumination levels. Unlike a system with traditional switches, a smart lighting system puts illumination and many other options at your fingertips. 

Smart home lighting control makes everything seamless, adding beauty to your home in Lake Oswego and comfort to your lifestyle. Read on to discover the top three ways a smart lighting system can enhance your life. 

Do you love watching movies on the big screen in theaters? Why not bring that same experience to your home? By hiring a skilled and innovative home theater company, you completely transform the way you watch movies at home. Professional integrators can design and implement solutions that result in an immersive theater space. 

Read on to discover how a professionally designed home theater setup at your Portland, OR, home can exceed your expectations. 

Home audio has reached its golden age with advancements in speaker systems. And at the current rate, the golden age of audio will continue well into the future - with technology improvements happening every year. 

With a surround sound system, you can simultaneously elevate your watching and listening experience. Whether you add surround sound to your dedicated home theater or in the living room is entirely up to you. The result will always be the same: an immersive, 3D listening experience that takes you on a captivating journey. 

Today, you can find several brands that produce high-performance sound that take you on a journey of audio discovery! Read on to discover how speakers from Triad and Sony create the ultimate surround sound system at your Lake Oswego, OR, home. 

When homeowners talk about ways to simplify their daily living, smart shades are probably not the first thing that comes to mind, but they are a fantastic way to add savings to your life in various ways. With a smart shade installation in your Happy Valley, OR, home, you could save time, energy, and worry daily. We think a little peace of mind may be worth the investment, but we’ll leave that up to you.

Continue reading for four ways homeowners can save with smart shades.

“G’yaaaarrrrrrr.” That’s what pirates used to say. Nowadays, they mostly come quietly by the porch and steal your latest order from Amazon. Porch piracy is bad enough the rest of the year, but it could cost you even more during the holidays. After all, that noise in the night might not be Santa coming down the chimney. 

At Eighteen Group, we are the smart home technologies experts in Portland, OR. We understand how important it is to protect your loved ones and any presents left on the porch. So, this holiday season, if you are looking to welcome strangers bearing gifts and keep away those wanting to steal them, a home surveillance system is the perfect gift for you.

Read on to learn how home surveillance helps you to better watch out for potential threats, not cry over lost presents nor pout at the thought of a thief drinking from your second favorite mug. 

Owning a smart home means a lot of connected devices vying for bandwidth on your network. Not only is a robust home network needed to avoid network dead spots, but it is also vital to avoid lagging or latency issues. 

Often, clients settle for the standard equipment and installation from their internet service provider. A lot of these are designed for basic use, not for bringing together your smart home devices seamlessly. 

By working with professionals for your home network design, you can get ample coverage, lightning-fast speeds, and more. Read on to learn how a pro can perfect the home network at your Happy Valley, OR, residence.