Powerfull Systems CEO, Shalom Illouz Featured in CEPro Magazine

Our President and CEO was featured in the February 2014 issue of CEPro Magazine.

Powerfull Systems CEO Shalom Illouz was recently interviewed by a reporter with CEPro Magazine. CE Pro magazine is the leading trade publication for professionals involved in the custom electronics business. Their readers specify and sell technology-related products to homeowners, homebuilders and SMB (small/medium business) owners.

The story examines how Powerfull Systems focus mainly on specializing instead of diversifying services. Being an expert is key to the business.

You can read the whole article here CePro Magazine Feb 2014

Top 5 Advantages Of Home Automation

Home automaton has been around for several years, with systems that let you control the lighting, temperature, door locks, window curtains, appliances and much more. Earlier years of automation, its considered a luxury but as smart phones and tablets become increasingly common to every household, home automation is becoming easier to use and dramatically more affordable. Here are the top 5 advantages why you should install home automation in your home.

Safety. The ability to control small appliances and lighting with your fingertips anywhere you are will add safety in your home. You can make sure appliances are off when its needed to be off and on when its needed to be on.
Security. The ability to lock the door through your phone is one of the greatest benefits of home automation. This will give you peace of mind knowing that the door is close and not guessing. The fact that you can be alerted each time someone enters your home also allows you to monitor who is entering your home at all times, especially when you are not there.
Convenience. The ability to control everything with your fingertips is very convenient. You never leave the house without your wallet, keys and your smart phone. With our smart phone always with us, we can easily monitor our home and control everything with just touch of a finger.
Saves Time. Since we are living in a very fast-paced environment, we don’t even have time to worry about our home. With home automation, we can save time going back to our home and make sure everything is order, like if the kids close the door from school or turn on the lights when you get home.
Save Money. This is the biggest advantage of home automation. With the ability to control the light, whether dimming or turning on/off on specific time will saves homeowner a great ton of money. You can save money through household temperature, with proper automation in window shades and automated thermostat. In addition, you can save gas, by not driving back home if you forgot to turn off appliances or lock the door.

7 Ways To Keep Your House Cool This Summer

Summer heat can be very uncomfortable and be very dangerous. By making some simple changes, you can avoid the heat and cool your house this summer

Avoid using any appliances that produce heat. Instead of oven and stove, use microwave or order food. Replace your incandescent bulbs with LEDs. Turn off your electronics such as TV and computers if you’re not using them, since it produce a lot of heat.
Shut your blinds and curtains during the day. Close all windows and keep the doors and windows closed throughout the day.
Circulate the air in the house using fan. Set up a fan so that fan sucks up cooler air form from below and blows hot air upwards towards the ceiling.
Let the night cooler air in by opening a window. Open certain windows so that the cold air from outside gets in.
Use smooth cold fabric all over the house. Use satin for pillowcase or just throw white linen over furniture. Using white or light colored fabric doesn’t absorb heat as much as dark fabric and the smooth texture will give you an impression of coolness.
Plant Trees. Trees provide shade for your home and keep the surroundings cooler.
Install Awnings. It provides shades where there’s insufficient roof overhang.

4 Things To Consider When Buying Shades

You’ve just decided that window shades are the better choice for your home window treatment. So where do you next? Do you go online, local home center or specialty shade store? Here are some few things to consider when buying window shades.

Budget. No matter what we desire, it all boils down to how much can you afford. Can you afford a window or the entire house? Shades are priced based on the size, but the styles and texture increases the price as well.
Privacy and Sunlight. How much of these do you desire? Do you want the room to be bright or dark? How much sunlight do you want to come in? This will all depends on what style and fabric you’re going to use in your shades.
Cleaning Time. How much time do you have for cleaning? The materials you choose will depends on how easy it is to clean.
Safety. Having cordless windows will reduce your accident risk especially if you have kids.

Wireless Home Controls for Beginners

If you’re in interested lighting control for your home but don’t know where to start, or you have a home 2,500 sq ft or less, Caséta Wireless is the answer. Caséta Wireless controls your lights and shades with dimmers, keypads, and wireless remotes, as well as from anywhere in the world with your smart phone. Caséta dimmers install in minutes, work with numerous bulb types – including dimmable LEDs and CFLs, and bring the convenience of a connected home to your fingertips. Whether you would like to control one room, or multiple rooms, Caséta is an easy alternative to a larger home automation system. Caséta offers energy-saving capabilities with wireless control for lighting, shades, thermostats, and fans. With a radius of 60 ft.,Caséta Wireless uses radio frequency with Lutron’s Clear Connect Wireless technology that won’t interfere with other remotes, such as garage door openers. Caséta is perfect for the beginner because it’s scalable. Start off with a few “smart home ready” Caséta dimmers, then down the road, have the capability to add the Caséta Smartbridge to take full advantage of all that Caséta has to offer. Smartbridge connects to your wifi router, and works best when placed in the middle of the house. After downloading the free Lutron Caséta app, and pairing your devices, you’ll have full control right from your phone–anywhere in the world. Never again walk into a dark house. The geo-location service in the Caséta app gives you the option to have lights turn on when you come within a certain distance from your home. Wake up in the middle of the night and need a glass of water? Use a Pico remote next to your bed to turn on your bathroom or hallway lighting. Caséta is also programmable for time clocks (think outdoor lighting, or vacation settings) and lighting scenes for times that you need multiple lights on to different levels for tasks such as food prep in the kitchen, or movie night with the family. Scenes can be pre-set, and made available with a preset in the app. Caséta is best for a small home 2,500 sq ft or less, and is limited to 49 devices to connect to the smart bridge. This includes dimmers (in-wall and plug-in), each automated shade, and any 3rd party device you may want to use with Caséta such as Sonos wireless speakers. For homes larger than 2,500 sq ft, we recommend speaking with us about Lutron RadioRa2 or HomeworksQS. You’ll find endless ways to use your new Caséta smart home system.

Which Light Bulb should I Use?

Choosing the right light bulb is a balancing act between energy savings, comfort, durability, cost, and compatibility. Each area of a home or office will require different types of light and present different opportunities for savings. Use the chart and information on this page to pick the perfect light bulb for your lighting needs.

Incandescent Bulbs

Incandescent bulbs provide rich and warm light quality, excellent color rendering, and controllability, but are the least efficient.

Screw-in CFL Bulbs

Screw-in CFL bulbs are energy efficient and have the longest life of all light bulbs. However, they provide less pleasing light, start up slowly, may flicker, and are not disposable because of their mercury content.

Halogen Bulbs

Halogen bulbs, an efficient variety of incandescent lighting, are up to 30% more efficient than traditional incandescent bulbs. When dimmed by 30%, they offer many benefits of CFL and standard incandescent lights without the drawbacks.

General Rules

Use a halogen bulb with a dimmer where:

Light quality is important
You want energy savings with ambiance
You want to control the light with dimmers, timers, or sensors

Use a CFL bulb, possibly with a dimmer, where:

Light quality isn’t important
There is no risk of children or animals breaking the bulb
You want maximum light with minimum energy consumption
You don’t need sensors or timers

10 Tips to Light Up Your Home and Make it More Energy Efficient

According to ENERGY STAR®, if every American home replaced just five high-use light fixtures or the bulbs in them with LED or Fluorescent lights that have earned the ENERGY STAR label, each family would save more than $60 every year in energy costs, and together keep more than one trillion pounds of greenhouse gases out of the air, which roughly equals the emissions of eight million cars. By implementing any of the following tips you will be able to make your home more energy efficient and save not only money but the environment as well.

Tip #1 – Use LED lights and/or fluorescent bulbs By now, most of the American consumers are aware of the inefficiencies of the incandescent bulbs and the direct impact they have in heating your house and increasing your electric bill. By replacing your old incandescent lights with LEDs or fluorescent lights you’ll be saving about 20% in energy and will need to change your bulbs less often as these lights last much longer.

Tip #2 – Use solar landscape and solar architectural lights Solar landscape and other solar architectural lights are becoming very popular. Consumer demand and current technology has made them easy to use and implement as well as cost effective and affordable. Solar exterior lights are available in a wide selection of designs and colors to match any décor style and enhance the look of your garden and building.

Tip #3 – Replace your old appliances Contrary to popular belief, what consumes the most energy inside your home are not the lights but the various appliances and the AC, therefore, upgrading your home with ENERGY STAR® and/or SMART appliances is not an expense but an investment. Smart appliances can be connected to smart electric meters or home energy management systems to help you shift your electricity use to off-peak hours and avoid those high electrical rates.

Tip #4 – Buy a programmable or a learning thermostat Let’s face it, most of us leave home in a hurry when heading off to work and usually we don’t remember to change our thermostat’s temperature settings. To avoid wasting energy and money, buy a programmable or a learning thermostat. A Learning thermostat programs itself and turns itself down when homeowners are away and can be controlled from anywhere with free Web or Mobile apps.

Tip #5 – Install dimmers throughout your home Installing dimmers on at least the key rooms of your home can give you the ability to adjust the light levels to create a new atmosphere and save on your monthly billing. Every time you dim the lights you save energy and extend the life of your light bulbs. Dimming by 25%, for example, saves 20% energy.

Tip #6 – Control daylight and room temperature with automated motorized shades Shades are usually perceived only as a design element, but add automation to them and they become a functional energy savings element. Motorized shades can be programmed to block the glare or prevent the heat from escape based on the season and can save you between 10-30% on heating and cooling costs.

Tip #7 – Add occupancy/vacancy sensors and appliance controls How many times have you forgotten to turn off the garage lights or how often your children leave lights on? Occupancy and vacancy sensors turn lights on automatically when you walk into a room and off when you leave preventing those situations and saving up to 20% on lighting. Appliances standby power can amount to up to 10% of a home’s electricity use. Appliance controls turn off standby power and forbid that kind of energy waste.

Tip #8 – Adopt alternative energy sources Wind and/or solar energy can in some cases generate enough electricity for your entire home. Modern and efficient solar panels are designed to maximize the harvesting of the solar rays while keeping a modern profile that won’t interfere with your home’s architecture and will practically blend with most roofs to virtually eliminate your electric bill and increase your positive impact on the environment.

Tip #9 – Improve your HVAC with an air handling unit An air handler or air handling unit (AHU) is part of an air conditioning and forced air heating system. It is housed indoors and is designed to circulate and condition air through the system making your air conditioning unit more energy efficient. An air handler may be housed in your garage a closet or in your attic.

Tip #10 – Coordinate energy control with an integration system Use modern technology to manage your entire home energy consumption. An integration system will allow you to control and operate lights, shades, audio/video, appliances, HVAC, and even your home security system from a single “brain”, making your home more energy efficient. For example, a keypad button can be labeled “green” and programmed to automatically dim your lights by 5%, lower your shades, and set back your home’s temperature by 2%, all with a single touch, giving you a convenient way to save energy.

Remember, implementing any of the 10 tips mentioned above will allow you to light up your home while making it more energy efficient, and will help you lower your monthly electrical bill by at least 10%.

How to Put your Energy Under Control

Energy costs are rising up across the country and the trend will continue due to elevated world energy demands. In 2010, the median household income of U.S. families was $49,445 and they paid a record average of $1,419 for electricity alone. A more recent study concluded that a typical single-family home pays $2,800 in annual home energy costs. Owners of efficient new houses spend considerably less than the people living in old houses. It is clear we need to do something about our energy consumption in order to decrease and fight the growing price of power. But first, you need to identify how the energy is spent in your home to be able to make the necessary energy efficiency improvements. The following graphic shows you where your energy money goes.

Home Cooling and Heating In an average American home, 50%-60% of the energy bill used goes to warming up or cooling down your home, check out the following hints to try to greatly reduce that impact. Your home can easily lose a lot of heat as well as power if it is not correctly sealed and insulated. Make sure that air cannot get away or enter in to the plumbing, entrances, walls, wire openings, floor surfaces and ceilings. Use the right sealants on windows and doors and check on a regular basis. If your house was built before 1980, it may not have adequate insulation. While most owners focus on attic insulation, they should not ignore the basement ceiling. Fiber glass is not a good insulation material as air flows right through it. Use spray foam or cellulose materials for proper insulation. A properly insulated house helps you save approximately 10% of your energy bill. Give heaters a good clean, as well as radiators and any kind of heated air inlets on a regular basis, check they are operating smoothly and they are not being obscured by drapes, carpeting, or any other items. Make sure your air flow filters are cleaned out or changed on a frequent basis. An Energy Star qualified furnace will use about 15 percent less energy than a standard model. Become conservative with your thermostat. For each degree you lower your thermostat in winter, you can save up to 5 percent on the heating portion of your energy bill, depending on the climate where you live. If you have an old thermostat, replace it with a programmable or intelligent thermostat and you could save up to $150 per year on bills. If possible, install a combination of energy efficient double pane insulating windows and good quality drapes or shades. Such combination can provide more benefits than just energy savings; it can reduce condensation, block outside noise, improve fire safety, and cut back on ultraviolet light that can fade your carpets and furniture. Try to power down your exhaust fans after cooking or bathing. Keeping them on for a long time can affect the temperature of the area. Water Heating Water heating accounts for almost one third of the energy bill in most households, therefore, make sure water heaters and pipes are properly insulated to reduce energy consumption. You may also reduce your bill by conserving hot water, for instance you could wash your clothes in cold water, take shorter showers and use the dishwasher only when a full load is ready.

House Lighting Reduce your lighting power demand up to 75 percent by replacing your old incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents (CFLs) or LED bulbs, not only they give off adequate illumination but use much less power. Utilize the benefits of sunlight and natural illumination as much as you can and look for the Energy Star label when buying lighting products. Shut off all the lights as well as kitchen appliances when not in use. Unplug unnecessary appliances like microwaves, TVs, stereos, laptops, and video recorders or DVD players. Furthermore, disconnect chargers and gadgets with bloc-shaped transformer on the plug. All of them take power when plugged in. Never leave something on the stand by setting. Install a lighting control system or dimmers on at least the key rooms of your home to save on your monthly billing. Every time you dim the lights you save energy and extend the life of your light bulbs. Dimming your lights by 25% can save 20% energy.

Refrigeration, Appliances and Electronics Refrigeration – Your refrigerator is one of the major power spenders in your house. It takes lots of energy to run the compressor of a refrigeration unit. Fortunately, government regulations that stimulated innovation have made refrigerators much more efficient. Nonetheless, it often makes good environmental and economic sense to replace a refrigerator older than 10 years with a new one. Refrigerators with the yellow Energy Star label and the freezer on the top are more efficient than side-by-side models. To control energy, keep the appropriate temperature for your freezer and refrigerator. Do not hold the doors open as the power consumption increases when the electric motor operates continually simply to maintain the temperature of the refrigerator and freezer. Always check all the seals around the door to guarantee they are airtight. Appliances and Electronics – The average American home is filled up with all kinds of appliances and electronic gizmos like microwaves, toasters, TVs, stereos, laptops, and video recorders or DVD players. Replacing 6 of these items with energy efficient models, could probably save more than 25 billion pounds of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of taking 3 million cars off the road for a year. Most electronic devices drain power even when not in use. In stand-by mode these power suckers can raise your electric bill up to 10% a year. A quick and easy solution is to plug your devices into a power strip and shut them off completely. Dishwashers, according to several sources, can use up to 3,600 watts and clothes dryers up to 4,400 watts of energy.

Financial burden due to increased energy expenses can be reduced by controlling and conserving energy wisely. Lower power consumption on a daily basis is actually something we all should target. By putting your energy under control, you are helping to reduce energy demand. Reducing demand means fewer natural resources are needed to produce energy. In turn, this means less greenhouse gas emissions, cleaner air for all of us and cost savings for you.

Use Interior Finishes to Enhance Your Lifestyle

What are interior finishes and how can they reflect your true personality and personal taste? Interior finishes encompass all the natural and synthetic materials and devices used to cover the interior and exterior of a building’s framing structure to enhance its service and aesthetic qualities. Finishing work is the concluding stage of a construction. However, finishing work is very labor-intensive, and it accounts for up to 35 percent of all labor expenditures and assembly operations in residential constructions. Even though the house is nearly complete, be prepared to be patient. The detail items are what get noticed and what you end up living with, so make sure they get done correctly. The main types of finishing work include facing, plastering, woodworking, flooring, painting, wallpapering and glazing. In most cases; you’ll have the ability to select the finishing items and materials early in the planning stage of your new construction, remodeling or renovation project. Use this opportunity to make a bold statement of who you really are by choosing finishing materials that reflect your personality and lifestyle. These are some of the wide selection of interior finishing materials available to you.

Facing & Plastering Materials

Woodworking & Flooring Materials

Painting & Wallpaper Materials

Glass Materials & Finish Systems

Interior finishing truly gives you the ability to express yourself, gives you the opportunity to make a personal statement and reflect who you really are. If you are planning to build or remodel your house soon, take advantage of this opportunity to enhance your lifestyle with a very personal touch.

How to Select the Right Coverings for your Windows

Many factors and variables play a role when selecting the right coverings for your windows. The main reasons as to why you should install window coverings are privacy and light control. Factors like durability, life expectancy, ease of cleaning, formality, versatility, and of course safety as well as price, should be taking into consideration. Privacy Factor Privacy can be achieved with almost any type of window covering. The window treatment simply needs to be semi-translucent to diffuse images or opaque to prevent visibility to the interior. Frosted glass or glass block can also compliment window coverings to give adequate levels of privacy. Light Control Factor The most difficult factor to control is light, with most window coverings falling into one of five categories:

Transparent – Clear, without obstruction

Translucent – Diffused light to prevent the perception of distinct images

Filtered – Muted or dim light in bright conditions

Semi-Opaque – Impenetrable by light, yet it allows some light through the gaps

Opaque – This is where all light is totally blocked

Durability Factor A window opening subject to direct sunlight, humidity, dust, and odd temperatures is by nature a harsh environment. Add to these the frequent use factor and its simple to understand why window treatments need to be constructed well. The life expectancy is normally less for fabric treatments that can fade with time. Other coverings, such as shutters, and window shades have a longer life span. Ease of Cleaning Factor Each and every window covering will collect dust and dirt. Fabric coverings are the most difficult to clean, and are subject to stains. The furniture quality window coverings will normally wipe clean with a light solution. Others may require dry cleaning to prevent damage to the fabric and shrinkage. Shutters, blinds and shades are usually easier to clean.

Versatility Factor Some coverings will work well in formal settings; others will work in casual settings, while others will work great in modern living settings. Alternate styles are versatile and blend well with almost any style of room. Safety Factor Small children in the home will usually come in contact with windows and their coverings. Some coverings will have cords to raise or lower for better visibility. Although they are handy to have, they can be dangerous if they come within reach of a child. Toxins released by some materials, collection of dust and other allergens, as well as flammability, should also be taking into consideration when selecting window coverings.

Price Factor Window coverings on the low end of the price spectrum will normally have a short life expectancy and low durability. The slightly higher priced coverings, such as shutters and shades are designed to last longer – all while retaining the original character. Price of window coverings is dependent of many variables such as size of window, material selection, manual or motorized options, and so on. While there is usually a discrepancy in the costs of window coverings from vendor to vendor, it’s very important to weigh the overall value involved. The term “value” is often overused, therefore, when purchasing drapes, blinds, shades or any other window covering, it is necessary to consider the return on the investment and the quality of the service received not only at the time of the purchase but also when maintenance or service is needed.

Creative Ways To Illuminate Your Home

As we mentioned in our Lighting Systems page; light is an absolutely necessary element for human beings. Light does more than just allow us to see, light has the potential to influence the way we feel, think, and act. Light can also affect our mood, our health, and our productivity, therefore deserves attention when illuminating our environment and surroundings. Fortunately there are a plethora of modern light fixtures available in the market to help us achieve any desired effect in our home’s atmosphere.

Art lovers can showcase their favorite artwork or collection with a spotlight or a light fixture designed to offer direct illumination. Picture Lights are a great way to highlight your paint collection and make it stand without obstructing the art piece. Direct lights can be easily customized according to your taste and requirements of personal space.

Dimmable recessed lights could be used everywhere in your home to control the ambience light and create different moods according with the occasion. Though some LED Recessed lights are still on a bit expensive side, once installed, they won’t disappoint and will save energy in the long run.

Ceilings fans and wall sconces have become an important part of the architectural lighting design and decoration statement. They are available in a wide selection of materials and finishes to match any décor style and some feature magnificent designs, capable to beautify the appearance of any room. Wrought iron, stainless steel, and brushed aluminum light fixtures and chandeliers can give an artistic touch to your dinning, ballroom, lobby, kitchen and many other rooms in your home. These fixtures combine creative design with beautiful aesthetics and are available in various styles like gothic, Victorian, modern, classical and others.

As you can see, there are plenty of products available in the market to creatively illuminate your home, just remember; light is an element of design which should be used not only for visual comfort, but also to achieve positive emotional responses. Skillful application of lighting can, more than any other element, affect the experience of the guest or viewer.

Important Facts You Need To Know Before Buying a Home Control System

Modern technology is amazing and has allowed considerable growing sophistication in terms of home control and automation systems. Gone are the days where home control consisted mainly of light dimmers and switches. Today’s Home Automation Systems can give you the capability to easily control your lights and shades. Advanced integration to control audio and video is possible and incorporating your thermostats, security and surveillance system, pool temperature, and outdoor lights is most of the time a seamless operation as long as is performed by a well qualified professional. Yes, home control is great; however there are some questions you need to answer to identify important decision-making facts before buying or choosing a home control system.

Q1 – How much control do you really need or want? Again, as mentioned above home control can be started with a single room or can be expanded into an advanced home brain capable to control nearly all your electric appliances, gizmos and gadgets. Therefore you need to be clear in regards of how much control you want to start with. Do you want in fact to control only a single room? If all you want is being able to dim your lights and lower the shades in your living room or nursery to watch a movie or feed your baby then an inexpensive dimmer and/or a battery operated motorized shade may be all you need. But if your goal is to control a few rooms or a whole house then you’ll need a mini-system or a more robust setting depending of what you are trying to accomplish. Either way it will be beneficial if you define beforehand how much control you really need or want.

Q2 – Should you choose a wired system or a wireless option is best for you? Most home automation systems communicate with the control module either by sending wireless radio wave commands or by using the electrical and phone wires in your home. More sophisticated, reliable and elaborate systems require the use of Ethernet or proprietary cable and some of them can even use a hybrid communication system (wireless and wired) capable to control a whole house of 30,000 Sq. Ft. or more. So, which one should you choose, wired or wireless? Well, that will depend on your specific situation. Is your home being built from the ground up or are you building an addition? Then structured wiring should be your choice as this is the most reliable way for a control system to communicate. In the other hand if you are only remodeling or retrofitting an existing house or a room and don’t want to pay for the extra expense and hassle of adding wires, then the wireless option is best for you. However If you live in an older house try to avoid the over-the-counter inexpensive wireless systems as these tend to fail in homes with thick plaster walls, instead try to obtain a brand name system that will perform better under these circumstances.

Q3 – Is system scalability and ease of use important to you? The first part of this question is directly related to the question above about how much control you want to start with. If you are starting with a single room there are some inexpensive systems that can perform basic tasks very well but most of them don’t offer any advanced features or expansion options. If scalability is important to you you’ll want to select a system that allows you to perform more than just basic controls. You want a reliable system capable to manage complex video and audio commands as well as other data-intensive tasks and offer the option to expand in a room by room or zone by zone basis. Most basic systems use push-button remote controls that are easy to program and can be used by almost any member of your family, unfortunately some of these remote controls may interfere with other wireless devices in your house. More reliable control systems use in-wall keypads or proprietary custom remote controls that can be programmed by you, others even allow you to use your iPad or iPhone, and some systems will require professional programming by a qualified technician. Regrettably, sometimes the user interface of such systems might not be as intuitively as you wish, therefore, when choosing a system try to think of all the members in your family. Small children and elderly persons could not be as technical and savvy as you are and may not be able to operate the system properly on their own. If ease of use is important to you try to visualize your home system being operated by the household member with the least technical skills and then decide.

Q4 – What about system compatibility to integrate with other brands and devices? If system scalability was important for you then system compatibility should be too. Some systems are only compatible with components of the same brand. Others may be compatible with only a limited number of specific external devices. Yet, other systems use standardized and exchangeable protocols that allow them to communicate properly with almost every device made by other brands. When selecting your system, take into consideration all the different devices you want to control now and in the future, try to identify how compatible the system is (and will be) with your current devices and if it conforms with your specific plans and desires of technology control as well as aesthetics and colors.

Q5 – How do you get started and how much can it cost? You want to get started by researching the different systems and identify those that meet your needs and criteria. Most of them have websites that offer an overview, downloadable brochures and technical information papers. Once you made your choices try to read reviews and current user feedback to narrow your selections. You can also visit local dealer showrooms or request an in house demonstration, just make sure that the dealer you select has good reputation, excellent customer service and plenty of experience in the system you selected. You will need to know that advanced control systems are not sold or available in lighting stores or home improvement centers, they are only available from independent dealers. Top dealers usually receive industry awards on a yearly basis and maintain a high dealership status. System cost will depend entirely on your selections made above, how much control you want to start with, wired or wireless, initial components of scalable system and so forth. A couple of non-system light dimmers and a 3’ x 5’ battery operated cellular shade to control a single room can cost anywhere from $450 to $1,500 U.S. depending on the brand you select. The initial set up of an advanced wireless and scalable system can cost between $1,600 and $3,500 U.S. again, depending of the brand. Your best bet will be to request a free custom quote from an authorized dealer to find out how much your desired system will cost. As you can see home control systems are more than just technology, convenience and aesthetics. By analyzing these questions one by one, you’ll know the facts and you’ll have the tools to make a better informed decision in selecting the right home control system and the best integrator that meets your needs and your budget.

Transient Protection Design

TPD Line Card

Solutions to Transient Surges & Poor Power Quality

Every facility has its own unique configuration and surge challenges. System incompatibility has become an overwhelming issue in today’s high-tech world of computers, printers, electronic power supplies, and sensitive silicon-based microchips. Mix this modern equipment with traditional electrical systems wrought with high frequency noise, transients, and surges – and you have a recipe for disaster and liability.

Electrical disturbances cost North American companies more than $26 billion each year. For large businesses, even a few minutes in operational disruption can cause millions of dollars in lost information and revenue. The price tag of downtime is often ten times the cost of repair alone.

A TPD System is designed to safeguard your power, data and grounds going to mission-critical components. A properly designed TPD system will solve many of the electrical failures experienced by residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. A TPD Total Protection Design will ensure a dramatic reduction in facility downtime, as well as protect you from annoying equipment lock-ups and glitches on a continual basis.

Transient Protection Design offers the most experienced power quality professionals to assess your power quality risk and design a solution based upon your individual needs.

Transient Protection Design will provide custom solutions for all industries including government, municipal, residential, commercial, industrial & manufacturing, houses of worship, and universities.

We provide:

• Transient Exposure & Risk Assessment Surveys
• Product Technology Selection and Design Assistance
• Whole Facility Protection & Grounding Diagrams
• Installation and Grounding Recommendations
• Educational Power Quality Technology Seminars
• SPD Guide Form Specifications for Engineers
• Liability and Opt-Out Quotations
• Post-Sale Installation Assessment

A TPD power system will protect your equipment investment from costly repairs due to high frequency electrical noise & transients. If a protection system is not adequately designed or neglected, the systems integrator may incur the potential liability of having a design flaw to insurance companies. Whether its lightning damage or small internal spikes eroding electronic circuit connections and making them unstable, it is the designer’s job to protect against this. When sensitive electronics prematurely fail, the chance of it happening again is double.

Because of transient surges, computers, satellite receivers, Ethernet switches, servers, flight simulators and all things with a circuit board in it can glitch and hang up at times, and must be reset. Whether it’s serious damage or just a nuisance lockup, there is a reason for it. In the microscopic setting of a circuit board any sized transient surge that is introduced into the system can and will eventually cause a problem – if a hand shake is lost or if a single digit is misinterpreted, electronic systems will lock up. Overtime blisters are formed and one day that one circuit trace does not work correctly, and costs add up for a system that did not work to its peak performance.

Transient Protection Design products will suppress and neutralize any potentially damaging spikes or surges in power. High frequency noise is filtered and reduced to harmless levels, preventing the long-term degradation of your equipment by transient disruption, far extending its useful life.

Infratech Comfort

Infratech Comfort Line Card

Infratech has been a pioneer and leader in infrared technology for more than 50 years. We offer a wide range of products for comfort heat, automotive curing and industrial/commercial heat applications. Infratech uses the latest in manufacturing technologies to offer you the most efficient infrared systems for the lowest cost in the industry. We provide curing solutions for virtually any coating or composite in use today. From the world’s largest furniture manufacturing lines to curing a paint job in a small spray booth, from heating a backyard patio to a complex mega resort, Infratech can provide the design, engineering, controls and infrared equipment your property or facility requires. Infratech is committed to providing high quality, innovative products that exceed our customers’ expectations. We have the technology and we have the people to achieve our promise of quality, delivery and price. We look forward to keeping that promise with you. Products include: • W-Series Single Element Heaters • WD-Series Dual Element Heaters • SL-Series Slimline Single Element Heaters • Controls

SwitchForm

SwitchForm Line Card

Switchform is a California based-company with a long history in the Residential Technology Integration business. The company started in 2013 headed by a Hollywood Screening Room engineer/Crestron Programmer and a Professor/Mechanical Engineer.

The idea came from working in the field with customers who wanted to update their obsolete high-end automation systems but didn’t want to change the dimensions of their touchpanel wall cutouts. Since most automation companies already had their software ported to iPhones/iPods/iPads, the challenge was to be able to elegantly mount an iPod + Decora switches in a standard 2-gang box. In this way, a Smart Home or Smart Building occupant could get all the power of a modern automation system, plus the convenience of preset Decora switches to run their system – without expensive (and often lower performance) touchpanels, separate wall switches and recutting their walls. The question became – how to engineer an iPod and switch hardware so it was as flush to the wall. Years of R&D followed. The ‘look’ had to be in step with high-end interior design. The parts had to be powered from standard automaton or household wiring. Finally, they got all the pieces right and began shipping their first products in 2016. With companies like Apple getting into the Automation industry, Switchform is poised to be a key-player in one of the hottest tech industries.

Trufig

Trufig Line Card

TRUFIG’s revolutionary flush-mounting solutions are designed for aesthetic-conscious architects, designers, and property owners in the residential and commercial markets. The uncompromising refinement TRUFIG provides has made TRUFIG a favorite in the professional Architecture, Design, and Construction communities.

TRUFIG is the design solution that makes different technology from various manufacturers share a consistent aesthetic, be completely flush-mounted and match the wall or ceiling surface color or texture.

TRUFIG’s flush-mounting system offer solutions for a variety of applications. They design and match their products to specifically fit any homeowner’s desires to make most wall and ceiling applications virtually invisible, even and integrated. TRUFIG’s principles are material authenticity, perfection to detail, and systematic design.

TRUFIG’s family of products includes solutions for:

Switches & Power Outlets
Data Jacks & Keypads
Volume Controls
iPad® iPod®Touch Panels
HVAC Grilles & HVAC Diffusers
Speakers

Holm

Holm Architectural & Landscape Lighting

Holm Architectural & Landscape Lighting was born from an industry demand for a comprehensive offering of distinctive line and low voltage lighting fixtures for the commercial market with output up to 2,000 lumens.

Our products are designed to meet required specifications while echoing the aesthetics of the project. Holm is a Hunter Industries company with more than three decades of engineering expertise, now bringing its Luxor® technology to the commercial architectural and landscape lighting market.

The Holm product line was designed to meet required specifications while echoing the aesthetics of the project. Holm light fixtures incorporate exclusive technology features that differentiate Holm from other lighting brands.

In-house manufacturing allows us to be nimble — we design all our own products for a cohesive system and can apply new technology quickly. Our LED products provide high quality light with optimal energy efficiency, lifespan, and durability. ZDlink provides complete fixture control while allowing our fixtures to integrate with other third-party control systems such as Crestron, Lutron, Control4, and Savant.

For the highest quality, we use premium materials such as copper, brass, stainless steel and choice grades of aluminum. High-grade base metals are the primary protection to withstand the elements and enhance the aesthetics. At Holm, we believe the design of the fixture is just as important as the output of the light.

Every design that we create is put through a rigorous battery of tests like temperature and salt spray testing. We are constantly developing new ways to test our products in the harshest conditions. We strive to exceed the quality and performance expectations of our customers. Our engineering teams work closely from start to finish to develop each fixture. The interior electrical components are designed to work seamlessly with the fixtures that house them.

Soraa

Soraa Line Card

Soraa manufactures LEDs using a unique GaN-on-GaN (Gallium Nitride on Gallium Nitride) process that provides massive advantages. We grow GaN on GaN to create a perfect crystal structure with 1000x fewer defects and 5x more light per unit area. This advanced technology at the core of our lamps allows for amazing color rendering, natural looking whites, and crisp shadows. Unlike other companies that use Gallium Nitride layers on cheaper, foreign substrates like sapphire or silicon carbide we can assure you’re getting simply perfect light. In 2008, a brilliant team of professors from the worlds of engineering and semiconductors set out to develop extraordinarily efficient lighting. Nobel laureate Dr. Shuji Nakamura, Dr. Steven DenBaars and Dr. James Speck’s pursuit of perfection led to the development of a revolutionarily type of light—a violet LED made from pure gallium nitride substrates. Our gallium nitride on gallium nitride (GaN on GaN™) technology emits more light per LED material, handles more electric current per area and has crystals that are up to one thousand times more precise than any other LED and enables full visible spectrum light. To bring this simply perfect light source to life, the team founded Soraa. It’s basically like the Ferrari of LED lights. 8 years later, we’ve built a line of lamps and light engines around this innovative light source. Our distinctive products feature an intense single point source LED with full visible spectrum light, Flicker Free™ digital driver, unique heat dissipating heat sink, and point source optics. We’re headquartered in Fremont, California, where our talented team manufactures the GaN on GaN™ LEDs in a crazy awesome semiconductor fabrication facility. We are also building a new facility in Syracuse, New York. We have sales offices and distributors worldwide to help bring our perfect lights to you no matter where you are.

Converging systems

Converging Systems Line Card

Converging Systems was founded in 1999 to bring technology-oriented solutions to bear on key industry and marketing-oriented problems. The firms name, “Converging Systems,” relates to hybrid nature of the firms solutions which usually relates to typically three “converging” influences that together and only together can solve a problem. Typically, these solutions integrate a video or graphical user interface, a mechanical or moving component, and an-often invisible communication capability relying on very important bi-directional techniques necessary to provide effective user feedback.

Typically, the firm creates an idea for an innovative, then develops that product and finds a “home” for that product. Alternatively, industry contacts Converging Systems with a request to cooperate with its own initiative. In this case, we are eager to leverage our own experiences and product ideas with those of partner. As a good example of the first approach, our team developed the industry’s first color printer controller in the early 1980s for one particular OEM company. We completed that development and manufactured it for release. Then within just a few years, virtually every OTHER printer company in the world contacted our team to differentiate that (initial) product for their own printer or copier. The rest is history….

Today, we have a number of interesting technologies and products that are targeted into the residential, retail, hospitality, commercial/manufacturing, health care, transportation, industrial and customized OEM/ODM environments. These products in their particular adaptation can be secured from our respective marketing partner or in some cases, we sell those products directly. Our key marketing partners have over 2000 sales locations throughout the United States as well as elsewhere throughout the world. Our products have been installed within the smallest home theater to the largest retail stores in the world, and from the smallest meeting room to some of the tallest high rises in the world.

Integrated LED Controls

Integrated LED Line Card

Integrated LED Controls (ILC) was founded by a team of seasoned professionals within the lighting control industry; ILC saw the need to deploy a versatile, simple to integrate, dim and automate LED control system.

ILC’s main objectives are to provide an efficient LED lighting system, provide quality, to help simplify very complex systems for end-users and solve all above challenges. ILC offers a complete solution for single (Mono) color, multi-color (RGB), DMX Fixtures control that can be customized to fit any size job or application.

ILC Products & Solutions:

Lighting Control Driver:
Lighting Control Drivers consist of the ILC-100 and its power supply. The ILC-100 is a color and intensity regulator and acts as a communicator to LEDs. It also allows you to select any hue from a palette of 16.7 million colors. With the ability to dim LED lights at any level, the ILC-100 is the driver to LEDs and keypads.

Communication Adapters:
Communication adapters are devices that translate between lighting systems and LED components. An e-node is the processor that controls the LED lighting by translating 3rd party system devices. IBT-100 is a device that updates the ILC firmware directly by cutting the e-node and communicating directly.

LED Profiles & Lenses:
With an array of profiles and lenses, mounting and design options are truly endless. LED profiles are designed to connect the lighting source to the designated area for install. The aluminum channels also provide secure mounting and an outlet for lenses. Lenses are used for design purposes as to how you want your lighting to look. They provide a stylish and stream lined appearance and can be installed to meet the already designed space. Installation can be under cabinets, inside drawers, at indoor or outdoor floor, at water fountains, in gardens, and many more places.

LED Light Bulbs:
LED lighting has increased in popularity because of its beneficial output. LED bulbs last longer, have lower wattage with the same level of light, and are cost-efficient. Whether you are simply replacing an incandescent bulb or installing a full LED system, LED bulbs can reduce energy consumption that benefit end-users and also the environment.

Accessories:
Accessories are a great way to optimize function, improve overall performance, and simplify use for LED lighting systems. With variations of accessories, installation and design options are endless. Keypads, remotes, and connectors are supplementary devices that can meet further needs of end-users.

Insolroll

Insolroll Line Card

Insolroll® Window Shading Systems manufactures custom state-of-the-art solar screen shades, audio-visual blackout shades, and decorative roller shades for both indoor and outdoor applications. Insolroll® was started in 1980 with a focus on motorization and high performance shading systems.

Insolroll® keeps striving to enhance products and meet the demand required by most clients. Product innovation may involve small refinements to a product like their metal chain guides or bracket mounting options. They scour the world looking for the latest technology like SilverScreen Fabric and “Quiet” motors, allowing them to compete for the finest projects.

The 42,000 square foot Insolroll® facility in Louisville, Colorado incorporates state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment. Insolroll® shade systems are distributed through North American window covering, awning, and home automation authorized dealers.

Insolroll® Products and solutions include:

Insolroll® Interior Solar Screen Shades – For Residential Applications
Insolroll® Interior Solar Screen Shades – For Commercial Applications
Insolroll® Blackout & Dual Shades
Oasis® 2600 Sun Shades
Oasis® 2700 Exterior Window Shades
Oasis® 2800 Patio Shades
Oasis® 2900 Solar Insect Shade
Digital Printing for Roller Shades

SM Automatic

SM Automatic Line Card

Located in the Los Angeles area, SM Automatic is a fabricator and wholesale distributor of motors, motorized systems and controls, for interior window coverings. What makes us special, is our experience, our robust product line, and our commitment to offer quality products accompanied by exceptional customer service.

Founded in 1982 by three window covering professionals (Jerry Stein, Roy Ginsburg and Jack Hutchinson), with a combined experience of over 100 years in the business, SM Automatic quickly found it’s place in an industry in need of a reliable source for a motorization option. Over the next few years, with a focused mantra of “quality product and quality service,” SM Automatic expanded its product line from drapery motors only, to include motors and motorized systems for virtually all forms of blinds and shades.

By 1990, SM Automatic’s name had become synonymous with quality motors at competitive price points, while having a reputation of consistently having the best customer service in the business. At about the same time, the burgeoning growth in Las Vegas opened opportunities to our industry, that had not been experienced previously. The quest for amenities in ultra high-end hospitality environments, lead to exponential growth for SM Automatic, while the installed base of our motors in Las Vegas alone, topped 30,000 units by 2007.

Today, as an independent company, SM Automatic leads the industry, with the commitment to quality products and service instilled by our founders written into the cornerstone of our business, we continue to look for new and exciting products to offer to the window covering design and retail community, as well as the architectural and A/V integration fields.

Alpha Productions

Alpha Productions Line Card

Alpha Productions, Inc. is the first manufacturer of European-style retractable awnings in the United States. Since 1978, their SunTamer line of retractable awnings and retractable awning hardware has made them the industry leader.

Four generations of manufacturing experience, along with a 30,000 square foot state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Los Angeles, California make their exterior skylight shades, retractable awnings and hardware products one of the best in the awning industry.

Alpha Productions awnings offer a tremendous opportunity for homeowners to relax, savor and enjoy with those they love the beauty and fresh air of their outdoor space. Expanding the living space beyond the walls with proper shade control creates positive experiences and memories.

Alpha Productions awning products include:

Continental® – a Retractable Patio Awning
Skylight® – a Retractable Lattice/Solarium Awning
Cadette® – a Retractable Window Awning
CabriaTrak® – a Retractable Track Guided Vertical Awning
CabriaRoll® – a Retractable Cable Guided Vertical Awning
Awnbrella® – a Retractable Free-Standing Patio Awning

Somfy

Somfy Line Card

Somfy is a manufacturer that specializes in motor control systems; they build their own motors. They are the world leader for automatic movement of all sorts of applications. They provide a range of motor products such as retractable awnings, shades, blinds, projection screens, and rolling shutters. All products have been engineered with design, quality, ease of use, and are enjoyable. Somfy offers the best possible solutions for shading, security, comfort, and convenience all at a press of the button.

Motorized Awnings
Awnings are a great way to bring your deck and patio back to life, but with Somfy’s motorized awnings, you deck or patio will transform into a luxurious space with easy use. You can enhance your life and comfort by choosing a motorized option that retracts and opens at a push of a button.

Awnings Product Line:

Standard Awning – awning with exposed fabric
Semi Cassette Awning – a standard awning that is enveloped by a cassette which completely covers the fabric. Fabric rolls in while arms stay out
Cassette Awning – a standard awning that is enveloped by a cassette which completely covers the fabric. Fabric and arms both retract
Window Awning – Mounted to glass façade or a fixed structure

Rolling Shutters
Rolling shutters are a great way to preserve your home and protect your family. Some of the great benefits that rolling shutters provide are security, privacy, they reduce noise, manage artificial light, and optimize energy efficiency.

Rolling Shutter Product Line:

Tunnel Box Rolling Shutter – for new building construction. Box is hidden in masonry and fits neatly and naturally
Renovation Roller Shutter – for retrofit construction. Mounts on the outside window frame and blends into your façade by virtue
Combined Window Shutters – groups the window and shutter together in a single block
Accordion Shutters – designed for curved balconies and lanais

Motorized Exterior Solar Screen or Exterior Solar Shade
Solar screens or shades are protectors against the harm of the sun and weather. They absorb heat that is omitted from the sun which cuts your energy consumption in the warmer months of the year and also keeps existing heat in during the colder months. They also reduce glare which gives you more comfort and give you instant privacy.

Solar screen/solar shade product line:

Exterior Roller Cassette Screen or Solar Shade – solar screen or shade is concealed in a cassette and secured by side/end rails
Open Roller Screen or Shade – solar screen or solar shade is mounted above the window
Exterior Roller Screen or Solar Shade – with end retention or side retention system, they protect against weather damage and also pests

Motorized Blinds
Somfy has developed a way to make controlling blinds effortless; you can raise, lower and even tilt them. Motorized blinds take traditional blinds to the next level and eliminate problem shades that are inconvenient.

Motorized Natural Wood Horizontal Blinds – wooded blinds are beautiful and add warmth to your home, the down side is that they can be a bit heavy. With a touch of a button you are able to control them and set them to your preference.
Motorized Faux Wooded Horizontal Blinds – they provide the same function as natural wood horizontal blinds.
Motorized Aluminum Horizontal blinds – provide a lightweight and economical solution to shade a room and you are able to adjust them at a push of a button

Motorized Shades
Somfy has developed a way to make controlling blinds effortless; they provide privacy, glare reduction, and eliminate problem shades. Motorized shades also create a safe and comfortable environment to your home. Somfy also offers additional solutions to motorized shades such as timers, sensors, and even solar charge options.

Graber

Graber Line Card

For 70 years, Springs Window Fashions (the maker of Graber®) has been providing beautiful, custom-made window treatments to help unlock your inner designer and bring style and sophistication to your home. But like most good things, Springs Window Fashions started small, with a good idea and hard work.

The Springs Window Fashions success story began in John N. Graber’s home in Mineral Point, Wisconsin in 1939. According to his daughter Marie, the Venetian blinds he had installed did not look right. They needed to create a balanced effect between many windows, but Graber did not want to move the bracket that held the drapery panels and put more holes in his wall. Instead, Graber invented the “Badger Crane” – a handcrafted, metal drapery crane which would hold the drapery side panels as they hung over the Venetian blinds. Before long, Graber booked orders for his Badger Crane with department stores all over the Midwest, and Badger Crane Drapery Hardware went into full-scale production. Eventually, John Graber’s company expanded to become Springs Window Fashions, maker of Graber® custom window treatments.

Today, Springs Window Fashions’ “Best Experience” philosophy is a continuation of John Graber’s spirit of innovation and our commitment to quality window treatments, the very best customer service and no-hassle warranties to give every customer peace of mind. We’ve also developed “Green by Nature™” business practices that include high-recycling manufacturing facilities, environmentally friendly material harvesting, energy-efficient window treatments and healthy-home window treatments that are tested for low volatile organic compound emission.

On-Trend and Timeless

Choose from a variety of quality custom-made window treatments that range from soft fabric Cellular Shades to beautifully crafted Wood Shutters. No matter which type of Graber® window treatment you select, every product is backed by a limited-lifetime warranty and the resources of our experienced customer service team.

Graber’s wide variety of products includes:

Cellular Shades
Pleated Shades
Natural Shades
Roman Shades
Solar & Roller Shades
Exterior Solar Shades
Shutters
Wood Blinds
Faux Wood Blinds
Horizontal Blinds
Sliding Panels
Vertical Blinds
Drapery Hardware
Motorized Control

Hunter Douglas

Hunter Douglas Line Card

Hunter Douglas is an expert and the leading manufacturer of custom-made window fashions. For over 60 years Hunter Douglas has provided exceptional choices for dressing windows in homes across North America.

Powerfull Systems is your one-stop source for all your interior design and home décor needs, including custom window shades, blinds, shutters, sheers, honeycombs and shutters made of different natural and man-made materials like fabric, wood, bamboo, reeds, grasses, aluminum, faux wood, and vinyl.

Choosing the right window solution can be daunting. Our experienced design professionals will work with you to find a solution that looks great and provides the privacy and light control you need, all within your budget. We are the Window Fashions Experts. Take a look around, and then contact us to get started!

Horizontal & Vertical Blinds

Hunter Douglas blinds offer maximum view-through when opened and optimal privacy when closed.
We carry Hunter Douglas blinds made from many materials: hardwoods blinds, faux wood blinds, aluminum blinds, and vinyl blinds. We also offer blinds made from sheer fabrics, woven fabrics or room darkening fabrics.

Horizontal BlindsHunter Douglas horizontal blinds are ideal for windows that are taller than they are wide. You can choose blinds made from premium hardwoods, durable polymers or versatile aluminum.

Vertical Blinds

Hunter Douglas vertical blinds are well suited for windows that are wider than they are tall and slide from side to side. Our selection includes blinds made from sheer, woven and room darkening fabrics, as well as from vinyl, faux wood, genuine wood and aluminum.

Blinds product line:

Macro – aluminum blinds
Parkland™ – woods blinds
Natural Elements™ – blinds
Cadence® – soft vertical blinds
Somner® – custom vertical blinds
Crosswinds® – wood vertical blinds
EverWood® – alternative wood blinds
Reveal™ with MagnaView™ – offering twice the view-through of an ordinary horizontal blind

Honeycombs

Hunter Douglas honeycomb shades bring stunning practicality to each room in your home and a range of light-control options from sheer to opaque. Choose from the largest selection of fabrics, colors and pleat sizes. Vertiglide™ vertical orientation options also available in select models.

Duette® & Architella® HoneycombsHoneycombs come in multiple cell sizes, and a range of light-control options from sheer to opaque. Choose from the largest selection of fabrics, colors and pleat sizes.

Modern window treatments: Duette® Architella® honeycombs

Alustra® & Applause® HoneycombsApplause® & Alustra® offer a streamlined selection of fabrics, colors, operating systems, and bring stunning practicality to each room in your home.

Duette® honeycombs are a perfect match for a traditional decor.

Honeycombs product line:

Duette® – The original single- and double-honeycomb shades
Alustra® – Exclusive fabrics & distinctive energy efficient design
Architella® – Our energy saver honeycomb-within-a-honeycomb
Applause® – A honeycomb with a streamlined selection of fabrics & colors

Shades Collection

Hunter Douglas shade collection includes contemporary and classic designs and offers energy efficiency, sun protection, room darkening, and privacy. Selection includes Roman Shades, Roller Shades, Woven Wood Shades and Pleated Shades.

Vignette® & Solera® ShadesVignette® features consistent folds and no exposed rear cords, keeping windows uncluttered. Solera® creates a fluid, sculpted look. They also lend both light-filtering and room-darkening options.

Hunter Douglas Vignette® Tiered™ Modern Roman Shades

Provenance® & Design Studio™ ShadesProvenance® Woven Wood Shades come in five styles and transform sunlight into captivating design statements. Design Studio™ Roman shades come in a wide variety of timeless fabrics like cotton, silk and linen.

Hunter Douglas Provenance® shades for a casual kitchen.

Window Treatments for a Transitional Look

Shades product line:

Designer Roller Shades
Designer Screen Shades
Designer Pleated Shades
Design Studio™ – Roman shades
Vignette® – Modern Roman Shades
Solera® – Woven and non-woven fabrics soft shades
Provenance® – Hand-woven light-filtering reeds, grasses and woods

Sheers & Shadings

Create beautiful effects with diffused natural light. The Hunter Douglas sheers and shadings collection is made from a variety of soft fabrics, including opaque, translucent, semi-sheer, and room darkening materials.

Silhouette® & Luminette® SheersSilhouette® window shadings, magically float between two sheers and diffuse harsh sunlight. Luminette® Privacy Sheers come in an array of sheer and drapery-like fabrics for unlimited light-control and privacy options.

Pirouette® & Nantucket™ ShadesPirouette® shadings feature soft fabric vanes attached to a sheer backing that appear to be floating. Nantucket™ shadings offer a streamlined selection of operating systems and soft sheers.

Sheers & Shadings:

Silhouette® – Tilt the vanes to achieve your desired level of light and privacy.
Luminette® – Prefect for wide windows and sliding doors.
Pirouette® – When closed, they look just like a contemporary shade.
Nantucket™ – Feature 3″ vanes that tilt for effective light control
Luminette® Modern Draperies – Available in a full panel of fabric or a dual panel that combines drapery fabric with privacy sheers

Shutters

A Classic Look with Long-Lasting Finishes and Exceptional American Design and Craftsmanship that just can’t be matched anywhere else.

WOOD SHUTTERS – Heritance®Classic Heritance® hardwood shutters are crafted from real wood and use dovetail joinery for maximum strength and durability. Available in a large selection of stain and paint finishes.

HYBRID SHUTTERS – NewStyle®The value-priced NewStyle® hybrid shutters blend the beauty of real wood and advanced modern-day materials to create a stunning and durable window covering for any room.

POLYSATIN SHUTTERS – Palm Beach™Our Palm Beach™ polysatin shutters are constructed with UV resistant vinyl, so they’re guaranteed never to warp, crack, fade, chip, peel or discolor, regardless of extreme heat or moisture.

Enjoy the Convenience of Motorized Blinds & Shades

One of the most interesting and innovative technologies on the market today are modern motorized blinds and other motorized window treatments like shades, drapes, and curtains.

Silhouette® & Luminette® SheersSilhouette® window shadings, magically float between two sheers and diffuse harsh sunlight. Luminette® Privacy Sheers come in an array of sheer and drapery-like fabrics for unlimited light-control and privacy options.

Hunter Douglas’ proprietary motorized lifting system PowerTilt™ with Platinum™ Technology combines both line-of-sight (using infrared technology) and “out-of-sight” control (using radio frequency technology) of your Hunter Douglas blinds.

Pirouette® & Nantucket™ ShadesThe PowerTilt™ battery-powered system easily tilts slats open or closed. To use the ‘point and press’ method, simply point the remote at the satellite eye and press the UP or DOWN button to tilt the slats. Or select a group (or groups) of window coverings to tilt together, even in multiple rooms. The perfect solution for outfitting your home with motorized window blinds.

The following Hunter Douglas blinds can be motorized with PowerTilt™:

EverWood® Distinctions™ – blinds
EverWood® TruGrain® – blinds
Macro Aluminum – blinds
Natural Elements™ – blinds
Parkland™ Classics™ – blinds
Parkland™ Genuine Woods – blinds
Parkland™ Reflections® – blinds

Vantage

Vantage Line Card

Vantage is a company that specializes in lighting control and automation and presents their products in the simplest and most designed way. They offer luxury products that are driven by their commitment to the ecosystem. Vantage provides energy management solutions to minimize energy consumption and maximize peoples comfort to lighting controls and video/audio controls. Their systems components are fit to install residential areas, commercial settings, or on marine applications. Vantage offers a more luxuries feel to look and design.

Vantage Solutions Include:

Vantage has made it a goal to deliver easy user experience across different interface platforms. The experience that you get from Vantage is one that is consistent, simple to use and intuitive. They engineer each solution to fit your living environment and always available on smart devices such as tablets.

Vantage Products include:

Equinox 4 LCD Keypad – Single layer user interface with three mini widgets to control climate, light, and audio
Equinox 7 UX – A LCD interface that is a dashboard to the whole system that allows you to control climate, lights, audio, security, cameras, video, and energy scenarios through a multi-widget interface
Tablet UX App – Tablet app that allows you to control the same functions as an Equinox 7 UX in a multi-widget interface
Mobile UX App – Mobile App that allows you to control through a single widget interface and you can perform the same controls as Equinox 7 and Tablet UX

Lutron

Lutron Line Card

With almost 50 years of innovation under its belt, Lutron has advanced the technology of lighting and shading control. Lutron holds over 2,700 patents and over 15,000 products for lighting and shading controls to provide the most efficient energy management. Lutron offers its systems or stand-alone components to be installed in either residential or commercial spaces. With its unique technology, Lutron offers wired or wireless systems to control both daylight and electric light in the most convenient and simplest form. Lutron is simply one of the best companies out there for whole home or business automation on both lighting and shading side.

Single Room Solutions

Lutron gives you the freedom to personalize the light in any space. Our single room solutions allow you to effortlessly adjust your lighting for different tasks – and our switches, wallplates, phone, and cable jacks come in a variety of colors to match your décor.

Save Energy Create inviting, comfortable living spaces while reducing energy costs with Lutron dimmers, timers, and sensors. With a dimmer, you save energy every time you use your lights. Automatically turn off lights or bathroom exhaust fans with a countdown timer. Ensure lights in unoccupied rooms are never left on with an occupancy or vacancy sensor.

Elegance & Ambiance Lutron controls are designed to look and work beautifully. Light affects the way you feel and the way things look around you. Dimming helps you to create moods and transform rooms, set the perfect atmosphere for entertaining or turn your bath into a soothing spa retreat. You can even match your décor with controls in a stylish color and finish.

Convenience Take your lights to a new level – control them from anywhere in a room or even outside your home. Control of your lights isn’t limited to a spot on the wall. Adjust lights or ceiling fan from your bedside, turn lights on or off from your car or use an occupancy sensor so lights will turn off automatically.

Remote Control Add drama and excitement to your home with wireless control at the touch of a button. Create an affordable wow-factor for your home – dim the lights and start a movie, all without leaving your seat. Turn lights on or off from outside your home, whether you’re in your car or out for a walk. Adjust lights and ceiling fans with an IR remote.

Control Daylight Control of the light in your home is about more than electric lights – it also involves the ability to fine-tune how much sunlight enters a room. Silently adjust shades or draperies to create privacy or protect valuable furnishings. Reduce glare on your computer and television from windows or a skylight. Add elegance with a variety of window treatment styles – see shading solutions.

Personalized Light Control Make lighting about your home and your lifestyle by personalizing how you utilize the light in a room. Create lighting “scenes” by controlling multiple lights in a room, such as a kitchen. Adjust overhead, under cabinet, and sink lights with the touch of a button for food preparation, dining or clean up. In your bedroom, turn on a reading light and close the drapes from your bedside or transform a family room into a home theater experience.

Single room product line:

Caséta Wireless – control & adjust your lights and shades from anywhere
RadioRa 2 – a wireless option for either single room or whole home
Grafik Eye QS – controls both electric light and daylight
Grafik Eye 3000 – controls multiple setting lights for larger rooms or commercial buildings
Stanza – great for guest rooms or hotels
Maestro Wireless – Allows you to control any combination of light level with 10 controls
Energi Tripak – best for stand offices, conference rooms, or classrooms

RadioRa 2

RadioRA 2 is a wireless total home control system. This energy-saving system gives you the ability to adjust the amount of daylight and electric light (using light controls and automated shades) as well as temperature in a single room or throughout your whole home.

Applications

Save Energy — Occupancy/vacancy sensors are ideal for rooms where lights are often inadvertently left on such as bathrooms and utility rooms. The energy-saving benefits of a RadioRA 2 system go beyond simply dimming or switching the lights. The system makes it easy to manage your home’s lighting to maximize savings.

Entertain — Light control in the kitchen lets you showcase design features such as stylish appliances, custom cabinetry, or distinctive countertops. Add versatility to your kitchen by creating scenes for any task. Dim the lights and lower the shades for dining or catching up with your family over an evening snack.

Relax — Dim the lights and lower shades for privacy at the touch of a button from anywhere in your home. Conveniently turn on your lights from the comfort of your car as you approach your home. Create a path of light from your driveway or garage, so you’ll never have to walk into a dark house again.

Features

System Benefits — The benefits of RadioRA 2 are brought to you through a combination of light, shade, temperature, and appliance control. You’re not only investing in a system that will enhance your life, you’re also making a conscious choice to lessen your impact on the environment.

Temperature Control — Add temperature control to RadioRA 2 for increased convenience and energy savings. Choose from our NEW TouchPRO Wireless™ thermostat or our HVAC controller with wireless temperature sensor, both compatible with the seeTemp™ wall control. You can also control the thermostats from mobile devices, so you can conveniently adjust temperature even when you’re away from home.

Flexible, Scalable, Reliable — Choose from a variety of wireless components to customize and grow your system from a single room to a whole home. RadioRA 2 works directly with Sivoia® QS Wireless shades and drapes, GRAFIK Eye® QS, and occupancy/vacancy sensors. Clear Connect ™ RF technology ensures ultra-reliable wireless communication between components.

Open integration — RadioRA 2 provides control from universal remotes, home automation systems, mobile devices, and more – all from a single repeater. The Lutron integration protocol allows virtually any device capable of sending and/or receiving RS232 or IP commands to control lights and shades. Two-way functionality provides the ability to monitor the status of lights in the home including light levels and access database-level system information.

RadioRa 2 keypads, dimmers, seeTemp™ wall controls, and accessories come in a variety of beautiful color palettes, while shades are available in a wide variety of fabrics and styles. You can choose colors and fabrics to complement a room’s look and feel, and to coordinate with the overall style of your home.

Whole Home Solutions

The power to transform any space with light is now yours, at the touch of a button. Control the light and shade levels in a single room or throughout your whole home using a hand-held remote, wall-mounted keypad, tabletop control, and now, your iPad® or iPhone®.

Integration & Home Automation Seamlessly integrate technology into your home. Lutron light control systems can combine with audio, video, security, and HVAC. From simple incorporation with a single system to sophisticated high-level integration, Lutron designs its controls to work reliably and intuitively with other systems in your home.

Energy Savings Whole-home systems make it easy to dim the lights throughout your home to create ambiance and save energy with wireless controls. Install discreet occupancy/vacancy sensors to ensure lights are turned off when rooms are unoccupied.

Safety & Security Enjoy the safety and security of advanced wireless lighting control. Create a safe path of light to, through, and around your home. Connect your security system to your lighting system for an added level of assurance. Add automated shades to create privacy or protect valuable furnishings.

Pathway Lighting Create safe navigation through your home. No need to walk from room to room to control each light. Press a button to illuminate a pathway from your bedroom to move easily and safely throughout your home at night.

Control Lights from the Car Let your lights welcome you home. With a lighting system, you can press a button and your interior/exterior lights turn on as you arrive home. Illuminate a pathway of light from your car and into your home. Ensure lights are turned off when you leave with a single touch of a button.

Multi-room Control Customize areas of your home to meet your needs. Make the most of an open floor plan or master suite with Lutron wireless controls. Whether you want seamless transitions from your kitchen to your dining and family room areas, or a master bed and bath that is a relaxing retreat, wireless control can make your lights more intuitive and personalized to your lifestyle.

Enhanced Convenience Tabletop controls make life a lot easier. An “All Off” button at your bedside turns the lights in your home off with a single touch – no need to worry about leaving lights on or having to go back to check in the middle of the night. The “All On” button brings all the lights on at a single touch, brightly lighting every area.

Remote Control Take light control with you wherever you go. The convenience of light control is portable – a wireless controller can be kept in your car, in your purse, or tableside. Whether you’re arriving home in your car, returning from a walk, or resting on the couch, you can control the light in your home at the touch of a button.

“Away” and “Vacation” Mode When you leave for the day, simply press “Away” and conveniently leave your home exactly as you like it – all lights off, all lights on, or anywhere in between. Program a “Vacation” scene to replay your daily routine – turning the lights on and off, raising and lowering the shades – as if you were still home.

Whole room product line & recommended solutions:

HomeWorks® QS
RadioRA® 2
Sivoia® QS Wireless Shading Solutions
Radio Powr Savr®
Caséta™ Wireless – 2500 Sq.Ft. Max house size

HomeWorks QS

HomeWorks QS, designed for exclusive homes, integrates the control of all your light, interior and exterior, electric light and daylight. The system also integrates with other manufacturers for audio-visual and HVAC control, as well, for broader control of your home environment.

Applications

Come Home Safely — When you arrive home in the evening all you’ll need to do is press a single button before you even get out of your car to brighten key entry points as well as exterior lights. You’ll always have a warm and safe welcome home with HomeWorks QS.

Intelligent Control — Integrate HomeWorks QS with your iPhone®, iPod® touch, iPad®† and Android™ devices†† and you can easily check the status of your lights, shades, and HVAC when you’re away from your home. Having whole-home control when you’re out of town or simply out for an evening provides a hassle-free way to save energy.

Rest Assured — Before you retire for the night, lower your shades, turn all the house lights off and set back temperature from the comfort of your bed with the “Goodnight” button. Not only can you control the lights that surround you, but also the lights halfway across your home—so you can rest assured no lights are left on, wasting energy.

† iPad, iPhone and iPod touch are registered trademarks of Apple®, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. †† Android is a trademark of Google Inc. Use of this trademark is subject to Google Permissions.

Features

Convenience — Create “scenes” with HomeWorks QS — preset light and shade levels that you can recall at the touch of a button. For example, press the “Entertain” button on the keypad in your foyer and lights and shades will adjust throughout your home to create just the right light.

Integration — HomeWorks QS easily integrates with 3rd party manufacturers. Control lights, shades, audio-visual equipment, and temperature controls from a single keypad.

Security — HomeWorks QS integrates with home security systems. In the event of an alarm, interior lights turn on, illuminating a safe exit, while exterior lights flash to attract attention. HomeWorks QS also makes a home safer by automatically turning landscape and security lighting on and off each night.

Daylight Control — With HomeWorks QS, you can have your shades programmed to adjust their height based on the time of day and the position of the sun. Shades are an effortless way to conserve energy because they help lower cooling costs in summer and heating costs in winter.

What’s New — Sivoia® QS Horizontal Sheer Blinds Offering the elegance of a sheer with the precise control of a blind, the new horizontal sheer blinds lend a soft, sophisticated look to any space. Sheer layers diffuse light and offer privacy, while vanes tilt in perfect alignment to adjust the light levels of the room. Integrate with a Lutron home system to create scenes and recall a preferred blind position with the touch of a button.

Shading Solutions

Daylight has a quality that we respond to emotionally. Colors read true, finishes reveal their texture, and an uplifting quality pervades any room bathed in daylight. As we become more conscious of our footprint on this planet, we realize that making the most of daylight in our homes simply makes sense.

Save Energy Utilize your shading system to save additional energy beyond routine use of shades. “Winter warm” opens the shades, taking advantage of sunlight warming a southern façade. “Summer cool” does the opposite by lowering shades and blocking solar heat gain, thereby reducing your cooling costs. In addition, Lutron shading fabrics are made from sustainable materials for complete environmental and energy savings.

Elegance & Ambiance Lutron controls are designed to look and work beautifully. Stylish control and fabric options coupled with innovative technology elegantly transition a space to create the right amount of light for any activity. Shades align precisely within 1/16 in of each other for a balanced, beautiful look to a row of windows.

Convenience Managing daylight is not restricted to a single wall station in your home. Shading systems can be controlled using a myriad of keypads, IR remote controls, wireless tabletop controls, or set to an astronomic time clock for automatic adjustment of shades.

Safety & Security Utilize a whole-home shading system for simultaneous control of all shades. By setting a pre-determined scene for “Away”, simply select this button when leaving to close all shades and restrict the view inside your home.

Reduce Glare & Protect Furnishings Lutron shading systems diffuse light and prevent glare from washing out a computer or television screen. Shading systems also protect furniture, fine art, rugs, and even wood surfaces, from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter by using shading systems to deflect or harness solar heat.

Breadth of Line — For over 20 years, Lutron shading solutions have helped conveniently control daylight, while also saving energy. Today, we offer over seven different styles of window treatments in a variety of colors, textures, and fabrics that are sure to enhance any décor.

Shading product line & recommended solutions:

Sivoia QED – motorized options for drapes, roller shades, or vertical drapery
Sivoia QS – for automated window treatments, can be integrated with Grafik Eye & Quantum
Sivoia QS Wireless – wireless option for single room or whole home control
Hyperion Solar – adaptive shades based on the sun, reduces the effects of direct sunlight
Sustainable Fabrics – different choices for roller, drapery, roman and tensioned shades
Serena® Remote Controlled Shades with system & non-system options
Caséta™ Wireless, SeeTouch® Keypads & Pico® Wireless Control

Serena & Sivoia QS Triathlon Shades

Serena honeycomb and roller remote-controlled shades offer the beauty, luxury, and quality of a Lutron motorized shade at a price comparable to that of other brands’ manual shades. Sivoia QS Triathlon is the most fashionable, flexible, and affordable motorized shading system. These battery-powered solutions offer a 3-5 year battery life for easy installation and maintenance, perfect for retrofit applications. Available in new roller shade or insulating honeycomb styles, these shades have a wide variety of beautiful fabric colors and textures to meet the functional and aesthetic needs of any space.

Serena Shades

Block Strong Rays — Eliminate glare and create the ultimate viewing experience in your media room with Serena shades. When you’re ready to watch a movie simply close the shades using the remote from the comfort of your couch.

Control Within Reach — Adjust second-story shades safely and effortlessly. Thanks to battery power, the touch of a button will let you operate your shades from anywhere in the room.

Convenient Control — Control your shades in conjunction with your lights, and transform your space for any activity. Sivoia QS Triathlon shades are the only battery-powered shades available today that integrate seamlessly with a whole-home control system such as RadioRA® 2 or HomeWorks® QS.

Sivoia QS Triathlon

In The Sunroom — Prevent the midday sun from turning your sunroom into a sauna by pressing a button to lower all of your shades, so you can stay cool and comfortable.

In The Nursery — Use a remote control to silently lower blackout shades in the nursery, so you can block the sunlight without waking your sleeping baby.

In The Foyer — Large windows, such as those in the foyer, often don’t provide much privacy. With Sivoia QS Wireless, out-of-reach windows can be easily covered with battery-powered shades that close with a single button-press, enhancing privacy and leaving you with peace of mind.

Ultra-quiet Operation — Serena & Sivoia QS Insulating Honeycomb & Roller Shades maintains the ultra-quiet performance and precision shade alignment that is the hallmark of advanced shading solutions by Lutron.

The Ivalo Lighting Collection

Providing functional, aesthetic solutions for every kind of space, Ivalo Lighting designs and manufactures decorative and architectural fixtures for indoor and outdoor applications. Products include LED and fluorescent pendants, interior sconces, exterior sconces, LED linear and recessed lighting. In addition, Ivalo’s new LEDs products provide the capability to use warmer and various colors of light at a fraction of the wattage of traditional light sources. More than simply lighting for a space, Ivalo fixtures are architectural elements comprised of technology, quality, and high design.

Product Families Include:

L’ale Interior Sconce — A 27″ high interior sconce, ranging from 8″ to 4.25″. Direct/indirect light only. For use on walls, flanking doors, and between windows and elevators.

L’ale Pendant — 4’8″ long, direct/indirect light, suspended by Ivalo’s i-wire power cable. Designed for use singly or in multiples at the same or varying heights in ballrooms, lobbies, atriums, private offices, and over conference room tables and reception desks.

Aliante Demi Sconces — 21″ long, available direct/indirect and indirect light only; and 27″ long, indirect only. For use on any wall, flanking doors and elevators, between windows, and on columns. Available in 8 different finishes.

Daedalus Pendant — The fixture is organized around two delicate curving lines described by the ribs of the central helix. The feathery quality of the glass blades inspired the name: Daedalus.

Finiré® Recessed LED Fixture — Finiré eliminates guesswork by ensuring 100% compatibility between LED fixtures, drivers, and controls. Available in 15 W, 22 W, and 34 W models — all delivering smooth, flicker-free dimming. This complete solution combines an architectural grade fixture with a high performance Hi-lume® A Series LED driver designed to work with Lutron dimmers/controls.

Product Literature – Find all the Ivalo products on the Ivalo Collection and the Ivalo Finiré Brochures. They are the perfect introduction to the Ivalo Lighting fixtures, showcasing the impressive forms and space enhancing applications they are used in.

Hartmann & Forbes

Hartmann & Forbes Line Card

Hartmann&Forbes^® is an award-winning maker of handcrafted, natural windowcoverings, wallcoverings and textiles, established with the goal of delighting interior designers worldwide by handcrafting natural home furnishings of distinction. We do this with innovative designs, uncompromising quality and exceptional delivery and service.

With designs inspired by nature’s raw beauty and artisanal workmanship that utilizing traditional handweaving and crafting methods, our award-winning windowcoverings, wallcoverings and textiles are made of unique best-of-class natural fibers that are sustainably cultivated in well-managed ecosystems. By offering the industry’s largest collection of natural, handwoven designs for your window and a unique assortment of natural handcrafted wallcoverings with which to coordinate, we can easily help you realize your design aesthetic. Our broad range of designs offers an honest reinterpretation of nature’s raw beauty. A passion for handweaving, design exploration and a lifelong love of nature continues to fuel the evolution of our collections.

Powerfull Systems CEO, Shalom Illouz Featured in CEPro Magazine

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Use a halogen bulb with a dimmer where:

Use a CFL bulb, possibly with a dimmer, where:

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