Control4 is a leader in home automation solutions and a brand we proudly represent at Eighteen Group. As your local Portland, OR, area experts, we believe that a professional Control4 installation offers more than just fancy technology; it can provide an elegant lifestyle change that simplifies daily tasks.

Continue reading to learn why you should only trust a professional Control4 installer with your valued smart technology.

Homeowners looking for improved security, enhanced comfort, or streamlined daily routines turn to smart home devices for support. But, as you consider adding these features to your home, there exists a critical decision for you to make: do you go the DIY route and mount these challenges yourself, or do you turn to a professional smart home integrator? Continue reading to compare these two paths for adding intelligent devices to your Portland, OR, home.

Lighting does more than just illuminate a space—it also sets the mood and vibe. Lighting can enhance or ruin your interior design and décor; it can give your home a lively, welcoming feel or make it a dull and depressing space. Therefore, it’s vital to find the right lighting for your home. 

Read on to learn more about home lighting design in Portland, OR, and the benefits of hiring a professional for the task.

A private home cinema can absolutely transform your home entertainment, creating the ideal space for your family and friends to kick back, relax, and enjoy a movie night or TV show marathon together. The elevated media possibilities are endless with a dedicated theater!

But while it's tempting to go the DIY route when setting up a home theater, there are significant advantages to enlisting the services of a professional team like ours at Eighteen Group. In this blog, we'll explore the numerous benefits of a professional home theater installation and why it's a worthy investment for your Portland, OR, property.

Smart homes offer a luxurious lifestyle, providing ease of control on an incredible scale. One touch or voice command manages every aspect of your home, including smart lighting, whole-home audio and video, the security system, climate control, pool, spa, and more. These customized smart solutions create a seamless design that blends beautifully with your home’s aesthetics.

At Eighteen Group, every one of our smart homes is unique, created with the homeowner’s lifestyle, moods, and activities in mind. Let’s explore what working with an expert-level smart home company offers and how it can transform your home in Portland, OR.

Motorized window treatments are rapidly jumping high on the list of most in-demand smart home technologies. They are popular with homeowners because they offer health benefits, improve productivity, and enhance energy efficiency. 

Today, we will highlight a few things you probably didn’t know about motorized blinds. Continue reading to learn about everything your smart blinds in your Portland, OR, home can do.

Home theater design isn’t a new concept, but its popularity and demand have recently grown to a large scale. Perhaps the pandemic played a vital role in this, or maybe people are just realizing the luxury of cinema-quality experiences in their own house! Whatever the reason may be, home theaters are a great addition, and we love them.

Carrying out the project, however, can get tricky if you do not hire the right people for the job. Let’s talk about some common mistakes people make with home theater design in Portland, OR, to learn why hiring a professional is better than DIY. 

Did you know lighting can transform how you feel in specific spaces throughout your home? For instance, dim lighting can make rooms feel cozier, or bright lighting can give you more energy. With smart lighting technology, transforming an area from exciting to serene is as simple as pressing a button. 

Continue reading to explore ways to use smart lighting throughout your Portland, OR, home to enhance how you live and feel.

Motorized shades are an increasingly popular choice of window treatments for homeowners. And rightly so! They offer comfort, convenience, and benefits that we couldn’t even dream of with traditional window coverings. 

However, since they are still comparatively new, quite a few people make mistakes that take away from the seamless experience motorized window treatments can otherwise offer. 

Read on as we discuss some of them to make sure you don’t make the same mistakes and can enjoy the full benefit of motorized shades in Portland, OR.

As summer brings warmer weather and increased outdoor activities, it's important not to overlook the security of your Portland, OR, home! Installing a smart home security system during the summer months provides essential protection and peace of mind whether you’re home or away. 

But why is summer the perfect time to bring this innovative system to your premises? In this blog, we’ll check out the reasons why installing a smart security system this season is key and how it can help protect your home and loved ones.

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.