Welcome! What's On Your Mind?

If you were one of the thousands affected by the derecho in May, you’re probably thinking about reliable power and protection for your family and home.  Many Houston residents experienced weeks without power and the recovery continues throughout the area.  Were you one of the many caught off guard, without a backup source of power or a plan for your family?  Were your electronics properly protected?  Even with insurance, the process of getting your valuable equipment replaced and installed is time consuming and inconvenient, to say the least.  Echo Workshop has whole-home solutions, as well as surge protection and surge elimination solutions, so when the next big storm hits (and you know it will), you can remain comfortably in your own home.

Surge suppression devices divert and/or diminish excessive current and voltage.  However, depending on the amount of voltage, surge suppression cannot always eliminate the threat to your electronics, and it should also be noted that the device must be plugged directly into the surge suppressor.  Surge elimination, on the other hand, is used to protect your whole home by diverting excess voltage into the ground before it reaches your electronic devices.  We are talking protection for big-ticket items such as costly HVAC systems, stoves, washers, dryers, etc.  Surge elimination is installed near your home’s electrical panel and offers protection for your entire home.

To keep you comfortable through any storm we offer battery backup systems that work in conjunction with your home generator.  Battery backup not only provides uninterrupted power during an outage, it also cleans up all of the electrical power in your home, eliminating the extra noise (an unwanted disturbance in an electrical signal), which in turns improves the longevity of any electronic device. These systems can also help you better manage power usage and save you money.

Echo Workshop offers customized solutions to protect your electronics and keep you comfortable during Houston’s crazy weather events.  Don’t wait until the storm hits to explore methods to keep your life running smoothly and protect your home and costly electronics.  Contact Echo Workshop today for a personalized power protection solution.

At Echo Workshop we take pride in offering the latest in innovative technology.  One of our favorites is privacy glass.  The applications for this unique technology are endless and can solve a wide range of privacy and aesthetic conundrums. 

So, what is privacy glass and how does it work?  Privacy glass changes from transparent to translucent and vice versa - from letting light pass through to blocking some, or all, wavelengths of light.  A film is applied to existing glass that, when electrified with low AC voltage, activates.  However, that isn’t the only way to activate privacy glass.  We also offer privacy glass that can be activated passively, by exposure to heat or the sun.

Privacy glass comes in many colors, textures, and can be used on any size or shape of window.  Imagine, with just one touch of a button, being able to create immediate privacy at your entryway windows, glass shower doors or bathroom windows.  There is no need to hang curtains and block the natural light with the use of privacy glass. 

It can also be used for a wide range of purposes in the commercial setting – from medical buildings to office board rooms.  Privacy glass can be designed with your company logo integrated, and since the glass serves as a transparent projection screen, it can be used to display messages customized for your business, attracting more customers by catching their eye with this innovative technology.

Our partnership with Smart Films International allows us to design aesthetically pleasing and practical privacy solutions for your home or business.  Contact Echo Workshop today to learn more about this unique solution and other innovative technology to enhance your lifestyle.

Summer is just around the corner and now is the time to get your home and outdoor spaces ready for family fun.  Don’t wait until the night before your big family reunion to maintain and check on the health of the technology in your home.  Let’s consider a bit of “spring cleaning” that can help keep your technology at its healthiest and ready for fun in the Houston sun. 

Keeping your electronics clean and as dust-free as possible is vital for optimal performance as well as longevity.  To clean your equipment, always spray the cleaner on a clean cloth and not directly onto your electronics.  Gently wipe the dust away to keep it cooling correctly and prevent dust from entering the electronics.  And remember, use a clean cloth that is free of debris to clean screens so scratches don’t occur.  Another great spring-cleaning habit is changing out all the batteries on your smoke detectors every year.  Perhaps choose the same date to do it annually, like April Fool’s Day, so you don’t forget.  And if that’s not something that you want to do, Echo Workshop is always here to take care of your technology maintenance needs. 

Next, let’s head outside and check in on the health of our outdoor spaces.  Is it time for a new outdoor TV from Séura or perhaps you’re ready to add some speakers around your pool area and are interested in the Sonance Landscape Series?  It’s important to have equipment that is built to withstand Houston’s unpredictable weather and that is just what you’ll get with Séura and Sonance products. 

Is your pool properly protected from Houston’s crazy weather with surge protection?  This not only ensures that your delicate pool equipment is protected, but also prevents the surge from entering your home and ruining your electronics inside.  Echo Workshop can help design and install a surge protection system that will keep you protected both inside and out.

Echo Workshop is here to help you with all of your indoor and outdoor upgrades.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can make sure that your summer fun goes uninterrupted with the very best in technology.

At Echo Workshop we are big believers that technology can be beautifully integrated into any space, while keeping all the style and feel that you worked so hard to achieve.   The same holds true for our outdoor spaces.  In Houston we spend a lot of time in our outdoor living areas and pools and, of course, we want to listen to our favorite tunes while entertaining and relaxing.  If you are looking for amazing sound quality while still maintaining the beauty of your outdoor living area, we have a couple of great options.

The Sonance Landscape Series offers incredible sound quality while blending into surrounding foliage and landscaping.  Imagine underground subwoofers and small hidden satellite speakers throughout your space.  They even offer rock speakers that completely blend into the landscaping.  And since the Sonance Landscape Series is scalable, you can experience immersive sound and even coverage no matter the size of your outdoor area.

If speakers on your patio or in your outdoor kitchen is more what you are looking for, the Revel XC Series is a perfect solution.  Designed for indoor and outdoor use, these speakers are made to withstand hot, cold, damp, humid, or wet weather.  These speakers are so well designed that they are even rated for use on docks and beachfront property (we see you Galveston)! 

If you’re like us, you are dreaming about spring and more time outside.  Call Echo Workshop for a free consultation to find out how we can bring your outdoor space to life with great sound.

It’s mid-January – are you still sticking to your New Year resolutions?  Even if you have given up on your diet or exercise plan, you can improve your life at home with a few technology upgrades.  Make working from home easier and spending time at home more enjoyable with the best technology.  Echo Workshop has some simple upgrades for your home and office that are sure to help you ease into the new year.

Are you still “that guy” working from home with constant tech issues?  It’s embarrassing, right?  It may be time to consider an upgrade to your network.  Do you have rooms in your home where it’s impossible to use your computer or phone.  Is your cell phone coverage spotty all over your house?  Echo Workshop has lots of options to improve your speed and coverage with partners like Ruckus. 

Let’s talk security!  Keeping our families safe is always at the top of our lists.  Is your security system out of date or unreliable?  Do the cameras you currently have give you a crystal-clear picture of what is going on in your home?  Video doorbells, cameras, and lighting are all part of helping protect you and your family not only from intruders, but also from fire or flooding.

Finally, if saving money is at the top of your New Year resolutions, then we can help.  Echo Workshop has technology to help you monitor energy usage, integrate solar energy, or add a charging station for your electric vehicle. 

Echo Workshop can help you make simple changes in your technology that will make big improvements to your life.  Let’s start 2024 out the right way with more efficiency and security.  We are here to help you improve your network, the safety of your family, and save money.  Contact us to today and let us help you make a resolution you can keep.

Are you building a new home?  Then you already know how much planning goes into every step.  You have probably also realized that looking further into the future and making sure that your home can accommodate the needs of new technology is crucial.  Here are a few features that you need to consider adding to your plan today - before you begin building.

1. Automated Systems, including remote access: Control everything in your home from one convenient device. Control your lighting, audio system, security system, thermostats, door locks, and smart appliances from anywhere in the world. 
2. Energy: Monitor energy usage, integrate solar energy, and add a charging station for your electric vehicle. This can also help you monitor energy usage and save money.
3. Security: Video doorbells, cameras, and lighting are all part of home automation that will help protect you and your family not only from intruders, but also from fire or flooding.
4. Motorized Shades: They come in a multitude of colors and fabrics, but they aren’t just about aesthetics and convenience. You will also benefit from energy savings with the ability to close shades during the hottest/coldest parts of the day.    
5. Pre-wiring and networking: Without having this done correctly, the rest of your home won’t work the way it was planned. Get the backbone of your home mapped out and installed correctly the first time, so walls don’t have to be re-opened after your home is built. 

If you are interested in learning more about making your new home smarter, please contact the experts at Echo Workshop.  We have the knowledge and experience to help you choose what is best for you now and help you plan for the future. 

It’s the beginning of the busiest time of year.  On top of work, we can all expect more visitors, the need for more service calls getting ready for holiday company, and more deliveries.  But what if your busy schedule keeps you away from home and you aren’t able to be there for some of these?  Echo Workshop has the perfect solution – DoorBird.

With DoorBird you can expect a high-quality camera and intercom system that allows you to keep track of everyone coming to visit.  Are you expecting a delivery?  With DoorBird you can talk to the delivery driver and instruct them to leave the package with your neighbor or open the garage door for them via your smart phone or tablet from anywhere in the world.   

On top of convenience, DoorBird also provides added security.  Did you know that often times burglars ring doorbells to see if somebody is home before attempting entry?  With DoorBird you can make your presence known to deter burglars and porch pirates. 

DoorBird is compatible with most smart home systems, making adding one at your front door or gate a convenient choice, and with multiple choices of materials and surfaces to choose from, you can easily find something that compliments your home.  Do you have a specific look already in mind?  DoorBird allows you to design your own custom system with their easy-to-use configurator. You can define the dimensions, style and functions individually and choose from over 50 materials and colors. 

Contact Echo Workshop today to learn how technology and design come together for an aesthetically pleasing, high-functioning solution for additional convenience and added security.

It’s still warm in Houston, but take heart in knowing that fall is truly on the way.  In addition to all of the toasty colors and spicy scents that we associate with fall, there are also ways that technology can be added to your home to bring out that homey vibe that fall evokes in all of us. 

When one thinks of fall and color, golden tones and the warmth those hues bring come to mind.  Our lighting design experts can help bring that warmth to your home with a system from Lutron.  Wake up to a warm glow, like the morning sunrise, and with scheduled lighting, let sunset gradually come to your home - following your natural circadian rhythm for better health and wellbeing.  But it’s not just about beauty and health, imagine the convenience and energy savings of having your lighting on a schedule.  You no longer need to worry about your family remembering to turn off lights on their way to work or school. 

Soon we will also notice the shortening of our daylight hours.  With our homes well-lit indoors, we also need to consider outdoor lighting, not only for beautifying your outdoor space, but also for safety.  Light up walkways, patios, and pools to keep you and your family safe all year long.

Fall also brings about a yearning to slow down and enjoy our homes more.  With stunning products like the Frame TV from Samsung, you can have the best of both worlds – a TV when in use and art when the TV is off.  Imagine your favorite fall scenes displayed in your living room.  The Frame can truly bring a room to life with beautiful art of your choosing. 

How about adding some fun technology to your outdoor space to take your family time to the next level?  With the cooler temperatures of fall, we can comfortably spend more time in our backyards and on our patios.  Imagine your family gathering on Friday evening for an outdoor movie.  With outdoor TVs from Seura, you can enjoy crystal-clear viewing while also feeling assured that your TV can withstand any kind of weather Mother Nature has in store for Houston this year.  Do you love to dine outdoors?  Set the scene perfectly with speakers from Sonos strategically placed throughout your outdoor space for amazing quality of sound, while not taking a thing away from the beauty of your yard.

Are you building a new home or perhaps remodeling?  Maybe you’re redecorating and trying to find a solution that will give you the convenience of technology without compromising the beauty of your space.  If you’re in the midst of planning and learning about all of your options, Echo Workshop can help you incorporate technology to enhance your design - not compromise it. 

Motorized window treatments are one product that adds so much to the home from both an aesthetic and convenience point of view.  First of all, it eliminates those ugly cords and that also removes the risk of choking.  With just the push of a button or from your smart device, you can open and close your shades.  Better yet, integrate your window treatments into a smart home system from Control4 and set them to open and close on a schedule.  It’s not only convenient, but saves energy and blocks harmful UV rays.  Consider the health benefits of darkening your room for better sleep and having the shades automatically open in the morning to keep your circadian rhythm on track.  Are you getting your outdoor living area ready in anticipation of cooler fall weather?  Motorized shades are great outside too.  Lower them to not only keep the sun out, but also the bugs! 

Motorized lifts can be hidden and integrated in a multitude of ways.  Do you want a TV in your bedroom, but want it hidden when it’s not in use?  Motorized lifts can be hidden in the ceiling, rise from under the bed, or be hidden in a piece of furniture.  The possibilities are endless.  Do you have a TV over your fireplace that’s a little too high, making it difficult to view?  Echo Workshop can provide a motorized mount that drops the TV down to a comfortable viewing level.  Have you been thinking about adding outdoor entertainment, a TV or projector?  We have lifts that will perfectly integrate into your outdoor space, keeping your technology out of the way and protected. 

Echo Workshop has the technology and the experience to make life more convenient, entertaining, and aesthetically pleasing.  Contact us today to learn more about how we can add motorized technology to your home for better living.

In just a month it will be back-to-school time.  If you finished the last school year with your kids complaining about the WiFi and connectivity in your home, now is the time to correct that – before the high demand of the school year.  Echo Workshop can design and install the network backbone you need for a strong internet connection throughout your home or office.

If you are technologically savvy and want to try doing your own troubleshooting, there are a few easy things you can check.  Look at your cables and make sure that they are pushed in all the way.  You may also need to consider the age of your router or other devices that you are using via WiFi.  Older devices may have limited capabilities and perhaps you need to consider an upgrade.  It is also always a good idea to make sure that you are running the latest system software.  If this doesn’t help, it’s time to call the experts at Echo Workshop.

I’m sure that you have heard a lot about wireless access points.  A wireless access point (or WAP) allows devices that can be connected wirelessly to connect to a wired network.  These access points boost your signal and help improve your wireless connectivity in your home, where there are dead spots or poor signal strength, and can even increase the battery life of your wireless devices. With WiFi 6 now readily available, you will be amazed at the improvement in your WiFi coverage and strength.

WiFi and connectivity issues can be caused by so many things that troubleshooting can be overwhelming.  From building materials to poor cable health, Echo Workshop has the expertise to assess and make informed recommendations on how best to improve your signal.  Call us today to learn more about how we can get you better connected. 

It’s June in Houston and it is HOT out there.  For many Houstonians that means a lot more time spent poolside.  As most pool owners know, proper maintenance is essential for a sparkling clean and inviting dip.  However, what many people forget about is protecting the delicate pool controls and equipment that run your pool.  Do you know if you have surge protection on your pool equipment?  With our crazy Houston weather, it is essential to have this to not only protect your pool equipment, but also to prevent a lightning strike from entering your home and causing more damage.  Echo Workshop can help you design and install the protection you need to keep your outdoor oasis healthy and running smoothly, with no downtime this summer.

Now that we have your equipment protected, let’s consider some fun upgrades to enhance your outdoor space.  Fun times outdoors are always made more fun with your favorite music.  With a Sonance Landscape Series system you will not only get great sound, but also flexibility in design and great coverage for your whole outdoor area. 

Now let’s imagine a beautiful Friday evening in June.  The sun has set and it has cooled down a bit.  You and your family just finished a fantastic dinner and you’re now ready for movie night – in the pool!  With an outdoor TV from Seura, you not only get the very best picture, with screens that are three times brighter than indoor screens, but you also get a TV that can truly withstand the temperature extremes, dust, and bugs that Texas has an abundance of. 

Echo Workshop also has the very best to offer in lighting and shades.  Set the mood with color-changing lights or consider motorized shades to enhance your comfort on the patio.  With our exclusive design team, and outstanding products from Lutron, Savant, Control4, and many others, Echo Workshop can help you take your backyard and pool from dull to electrifying.

Summer vacation is upon us, and that means that many of us are planning vacations.  The last thing we want to do while we are soaking up the sun is worry about the security of our home.  Echo Workshop offers the best products to keep you connected, protected, and on top of your home security, whether you’re checking in from work or from across the country. 

LIGHTS:

Lighting that turns on at various times and in various rooms can be a great deterrent to burglars.  And with a control system like Savant, it is easy to set up various scenes throughout your home.  Your lighting system can be programmed so that it follows your regular schedule, making it appear that you are home.

CAMERA:

Let’s start with the basics – a video doorbell from Ring or Doorbird.  Not only can you safely check to see who is dropping by when you’re home, you can also see and talk to visitors from anywhere.  This gives you the ability to not only protect your home, but protect your family by intervening when solicitors or strangers come knocking.

It’s spring!  In Houston that means things are about to heat up fast.  At Echo Workshop we deal with the best in technology and can help you integrate the finest products to help keep you and your home cool.  Here are three of our favorite ways technology can help you beat the heat and even save you money.

Motorized shades are not only convenient, they can also be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home design.  They come in a multitude of colors and fabrics and can be customized to fit any size or shape of window.  To make them even more desirable, they can be integrated into your smart home system.  Imagine setting the thermostat, lowering shades, and turning out the lights, all with the push of one button.  Do you enjoy patio time, but not the bright sun in your eyes - or the mosquitos?  Then motorized outdoor shades are a perfect consideration.  These can also be integrated into your smart home system.  Picture lowering your outdoor shades, turning on your favorite playlist, and lowering the lights – the perfect setting for some dinner on your patio.    

With the increased temperatures of spring and summer, we can all expect an increase in our electric bills.  One way to reduce electricity costs is with automated thermostats.  Set schedules to fit the needs of your family throughout the day, keeping it cooler when you’re home and conserving energy when you are away.  Add to that the convenience of being able to adjust the temperature remotely from anywhere in the world, and it’s a perfect solution for you and your family’s comfort. 

Lastly, let’s not forget how technology can enhance your lifestyle and make staying at home fun.  Outdoor entertainment is a must in the spring and summer in Houston.  Have you been considering upgrading your outdoor space?  Perhaps you would like an outdoor TV, a sound system to play your favorite tunes when you are poolside, or even an outdoor theater.  Echo Workshop can help you design your space and choose products that your whole family will find easy and fun to use.  

Let Echo Workshop help keep things cool at your home this spring.  With the best products, an incredible design team, and technicians that go the extra mile to make sure you are not only happy with your products, but know how to use them, Echo Workshop is here for your cool summer fun!