Barkly insights
Articles, guidance and considered advice.
Explore practical guidance on home automation, intelligent lighting, audio visual systems, networks, security, climate control and the technology behind better connected spaces.
Our articles are written to help homeowners, developers, architects and interior designers make better-informed decisions—from the earliest design stages through installation, commissioning and long-term support.
AutomationLighting & shadingAudio visualNetworksSecurityClimate & energy
Latest articles
- How a Home Automation System Can Improve Your Everyday Life
A genuinely intelligent home should not feel complicated. It should quietly remove friction from your day, make the property more comfortable and give you simple control over the… Read more: How a Home Automation System Can Improve Your Everyday Life - Lutron vs Rako: Which Lighting Control System Is Right for Your Home?
A practical comparison of two established lighting-control approaches, covering project scale, interfaces, integration, refurbishment and long-term planning. Start with the project, not the brand Both Lutron and Rako… Read more: Lutron vs Rako: Which Lighting Control System Is Right for Your Home? - Savant vs Control4: Understanding Two Premium Smart-Home Platforms
How Savant and Control4 differ in user experience, integration, personalisation and project fit—without reducing the decision to a feature checklist. Two capable platforms, different project priorities Savant and… Read more: Savant vs Control4: Understanding Two Premium Smart-Home Platforms - KNX Explained: A Practical Guide for Homeowners, Architects and Developers
What KNX is, where it fits, why early design matters and how it can form the backbone of an intelligent building. What is KNX? KNX is an open… Read more: KNX Explained: A Practical Guide for Homeowners, Architects and Developers - How Much Does a Smart-Home System Cost in the UK?
The factors that shape a realistic smart-home budget—from infrastructure and lighting control to audio, security, commissioning and ongoing support. Why there is no useful one-size-fits-all figure A smart-home… Read more: How Much Does a Smart-Home System Cost in the UK? - Planning Home Automation During a Renovation: What to Decide Before First Fix
The decisions that should be made before cables disappear behind walls—from lighting circuits and keypad positions to Wi-Fi, speakers, shades and equipment locations. Why first fix matters The… Read more: Planning Home Automation During a Renovation: What to Decide Before First Fix - Why Professional Wi-Fi Infrastructure Matters in a Connected Home
Why broadband speed alone does not guarantee dependable coverage—and how wired access points, switching and careful design support modern homes. Broadband and Wi-Fi are not the same thing… Read more: Why Professional Wi-Fi Infrastructure Matters in a Connected Home