ARE YOU WIRED?
Homebuilders are plugged in to high-tech
world
By Teri Maddox
News-Democrat
When Mark Fulford got into the home-building business in
1975, "communication services" meant running telephone
lines to one or two rooms and plugging in a TV set, possibly
hooking it up to an antenna. "It was color TV, but
it certainly wasn't high-definition or digital," said
Fulford, owner of Fulford Homes in O'Fallon and Fulford
Home Remodeling in Swansea.
Fulford bought his first computer in the early '80s for
business purposes. It wasn't until the late '80s that metro-east
residents started getting computers in their homes.
Today, it's a whole new world with high-speed Internet,
cable and satellite television, high-definition TV sets,
home theaters, whole-house audio, fax machines and intercom
and security systems. "People don't even ask about
kitchen appliances anymore," said Ron Padgett, co-owner
of Padgett Building and Remodeling in Swansea. "They
just want to know about (the technology)." Like Fulford,
Padgett has witnessed dramatic changes since he started
building homes in 1981. So has Dave Miller, director of
operations for Charter Communications in St. Louis.
"When I started in cable television 26 years ago,
there were probably 12 to 15 analog channels available,"
he said. "Today, there are literally hundreds of digital
channels. There's video on demand, so you can rent a movie
whenever you want. There are digital-music services and
digital-video recorders, and the cable company provides
high-speed Internet."
It's all in the wiring. Experts generally recommend category-5e
wiring for voice and data services (telephones and computers)
and RG-6 quad-shield coaxial wiring for video services (television).
Miller advises home builders and homeowners to give careful
thought to how many jacks they need and where they should
be installed to meet digital needs. He also warns against
cheap wiring.
"The main thing I recommend to homeowners is that
they use good-quality, well-shielded coaxial cable (for
television)," Miller said. "That will keep outside
radio-frequency interference from entering the cable.
"The coaxial cable will do everything you need it
to do. You don't need anything special for high-def. You
don't need anything special for digital cable or digital
video."
Traditionally, telephone, cable and Internet service providers
have run dedicated wires from outside homes or businesses
to specific walls where people want jacks for telephones,
fax machines, TV sets or computers.
That's still done today, and it works for many homeowners.
But more and more new homes, particularly those in high-end
markets, are being equipped with "structured wiring,"
also known as "digital-communication backbones."
Services are delivered to a central location or hub, perhaps
a utility closet in the basement. Wires are then run to
jacks throughout the home.
"What you're saying to the cable company (and other
service providers) is, `Just plug it into the home, and
we'll worry about the distribution,'" said Ken Taylor,
president of Intelligent Interiors, a technology subcontractor
in Fairview Heights.
Taylor and his partner, Jurgen "Yogi" Weinert,
go a step further and recommend running composite or bundled
wiring to jacks so each can be used for multiple digital
purposes.
One of the benefits of structured wiring is that homeowners
can easily switch service providers in the future.
"Today, people have a wide array of options on where
they want to get their telephone, television and high-speed
Internet services," said Steve Boente, co-owner of
Pass Security, another technology subcontractor in Fairview
Heights. The sky's the limit.
Another benefit of structured wiring is it allows audio,
video and other home services to be integrated and controlled
by computer. That includes automated lighting, security
and heating-and-cooling systems. Outdoor floodlights can
be programmed to come on when security is breached, scaring
away burglars. Shades can be raised or lower automatically,
depending on thermostat readings or time of day.
One of Padgett's customers calls home on his cell phone
and enters a code to turn on his lights or swimming-pool
heater.
"It's complicated," Padgett said. "It's
really complicated. I'm not able to keep up with the technology
to the point of being an expert. I put (customers) in touch
with experts who can educate them and find out what their
needs are."
Those needs determine wiring costs, which can range from
hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars.
Structured wiring is standard in Fulford and Padgett packages,
but some lower-end home builders don't install it because
they want to keep construction costs low for customers with
modest technology needs.
One of Weinert and Taylor's goals is to persuade home
builders to spend the extra money for structured wiring,
insisting it's not just for the rich.
"This technology should be as common as plumbing,"
Weinert said. "It's everyday stuff on the East Coast,
West Coast and Gulf Coast. Home builders are going to have
to catch up to the needs of buyers or they're going to be
left behind."
Structured wiring generally is feasible only with new construction
because wires can be hidden in walls or under floor boards.
Most owners of older homes stick with traditional wiring
or install wireless systems.
"Wireless has its limitations," Boente said.
"It's not as reliable. But sometimes it's the only
alternative. Getting wires through an existing home is usually
not very aesthetic."
