If you’re weighing up CCTV for your home in Kent, one of the first decisions is wired versus wireless. This post covers the wired option: a traditional, cable-connected 4-camera system recording to its own on-site recorder — still the most reliable choice for full-time, whole-property coverage.
What’s in a wired 4-camera system
A wired system is built around two main components.
4MP turret cameras — four weatherproof cameras positioned around your property to cover entrances, driveways, gardens and other approach points. Each one records in sharp 4MP detail, day and night.
Network Video Recorder — a dedicated recorder installed inside your home (typically in a cupboard, garage or loft space), connected to each camera by cable. It stores footage locally on a 4TB hard drive, giving you around 28 days of continuous recording before older footage is overwritten.
Because the cameras are cabled back to the recorder, the system doesn’t depend on your home Wi-Fi to keep recording — it just needs power and, for remote viewing, an internet connection.
Full-colour night vision — footage stays in colour after dark, rather than switching to grainy black-and-white, making people and vehicles easier to identify.
Smart person and vehicle alerts — the system distinguishes people and vehicles from passing cats, foxes and shadows, cutting down on false alerts so the notifications you get are ones worth looking at.
Remote viewing anywhere — check any camera live, or review recorded footage, from a phone app wherever you are.
What it costs
A 4-camera wired system — four turret cameras, recorder and 4TB hard drive — starts at £1,050 (ex VAT), subject to a survey and installation costs specific to your property. Camera positions, cable runs and recorder placement all affect the final price, which is why we always start with a site survey rather than a fixed online quote.
Is wired CCTV right for your home?
Wired systems suit homes where cameras can be permanently positioned and cabled back to a recorder — new builds, renovations, or properties where running cable is straightforward. They’re a good fit if you want continuous, uninterrupted recording without relying on batteries or Wi-Fi signal at each camera.
If cabling isn’t practical — a rental property, a listed building, or camera positions a long way from the house — a wire-free, solar-powered alternative may suit better. We’ll cover that option in an upcoming post.
Next steps
If you’re considering CCTV for your Kent home, get in touch for a survey — we’ll look at your property, talk through camera positions, and give you a firm, no-obligation quote.
One of the first questions we get asked by renovators and self-builders across Kent is simple: should the system be wired or wireless?
The honest answer is that it depends on your project — and with Loxone, it’s rarely an all-or-nothing decision. The same smart home platform supports both wired (Tree) and wireless (Air) devices side by side, so the right choice often comes down to room by room, not house by house.
Wired: Loxone Tree
Loxone Tree is a wired bus system — a single cable daisy-chains between devices, carrying both power and data. It’s the gold standard for reliability: no batteries to change, no signal drop-outs, and rock-solid performance for years.
Tree is the natural choice when:
You’re building new or undertaking a full rewire
Walls are already open for electrical works
You want the lowest possible long-term maintenance
Because Tree requires cabling to be run during the build, it works best when planned early — ideally alongside your electrician. Installation is carried out in partnership with Ryland M&E, and is subject to survey and cabling access.
Wireless: Loxone Air
Loxone Air uses radio signals instead of cabling, which makes it ideal for retrofitting a smart home into a property where chasing walls isn’t practical or desirable — a period home, a listed building, or simply a renovation where you don’t want the disruption of rewiring.
Air is the natural choice when:
You’re upgrading an existing home without a full rewire
Cabling access is limited or costly
You want a phased rollout, adding rooms or features over time
A Real Example: The Loxone Touch Pure Display
This choice isn’t just theoretical; it now sits inside a single product. Loxone’s new Touch Pure Display, launched in July 2026, is available in both Tree (wired) and Air (wireless) versions, with an optional integrated CO2 sensor for rooms where air quality matters, such as bedrooms or home offices.
It’s a genuine step up from mounting a tablet on the wall as a makeshift room panel — the Touch Pure Display is purpose-built for Loxone, with a proper wall-mounted interface for lighting, shading, audio and room climate, alongside built-in temperature and humidity sensing. And because it’s offered in both connection types, you can specify Tree where cabling is available and Air where it isn’t — all within the same system, controlled from the same app.
A Real Example: The Loxone Wall Display 10″
At the other end of the scale is the new Wall Display 10″; a larger, central control screen designed to replace the common workaround of mounting a tablet in a hallway or kitchen to run the Loxone App. Unlike the Touch Pure Display, the Wall Display 10″ is wired only, connecting via Loxone Tree Turbo. There’s no wireless version.
That’s by design. A central hub display is typically fixed in one key location for the life of the system, so a permanent, always-on wired connection makes more sense than a battery or Wi-Fi-dependent device sitting at the heart of your home’s automation.
So Which Should You Choose?
For most Kent renovation and self-build projects, we’d suggest:
New build or full renovation with walls open: lean towards Tree wherever practical, for long-term reliability
Existing home, partial upgrade, or listed building: Air lets you add smart control without disruption
A central control point (hallway, kitchen, plant room): a wired option such as the Wall Display 10″ suits a fixed, permanent installation
Individual rooms: the Touch Pure Display’s Tree/Air choice means you can match the connection method to what’s practical in that specific space
There’s no need to commit to one approach for the whole house. That’s the benefit of a single platform supporting both — you can mix wired and wireless as your project, budget and building fabric demand.
Thinking about a new smart home installation, or extending an existing one? Get in touch and we’ll help you work out what’s right for your home
Good lighting does more than illuminate a room — it sets the mood, shapes how a space feels, and quietly influences how much you spend on energy every month. For homeowners who want full control without complexity, intelligent lighting systems have become one of the smartest investments you can make in your home.
At SimpliHome Automation, we design and install residential lighting systems that are elegant, intuitive, and genuinely cost-effective. Whether you are building a new home, undertaking a renovation, or simply want to breathe new life into your current lighting scheme, we have the expertise, the products, and the partnerships to deliver a complete solution — from first circuit to final fitting.
Why Residential Lighting Design Matters More Than You Think
Lighting is often treated as an afterthought — something chosen at the end of a project once the walls are painted. In reality, a well-considered lighting design is one of the highest-impact decisions you can make for your home’s comfort, aesthetics, and running costs.
Poorly lit rooms feel flat and uninviting. Overly bright spaces can feel harsh and cause fatigue. The right lighting, delivered at the right intensity and colour temperature, transforms how a room looks and how you feel within it. Modern lighting control systems make this effortless — and automatic.
“The right lighting system does not just look beautiful — it adapts to your life, learns your routines, and works quietly in the background so you never have to think about it.”
Key Benefits at a Glance
💡 Energy Savings — Intelligent dimming and occupancy control dramatically reduce unnecessary consumption
🎨 Interior Aesthetics — Layered, scene-based lighting elevates every room like a professionally styled interior
📱 Effortless Control — One tap sets the perfect scene for morning, evening, entertaining, or relaxing
🏡 Added Property Value — A professionally installed smart lighting system is an attractive feature for any buyer
The Systems We Trust: Loxone and Rako
SimpliHome Automation works with two of the most respected names in residential lighting control: Loxone and Rako. Both offer outstanding reliability and a genuinely user-friendly experience — but they each suit slightly different needs and property types.
Loxone — Whole-Home Automation & Lighting
Loxone is a central, server-based system that controls lighting alongside heating, blinds, audio, security, and more — all from a single platform.
Presence-based automation: lights follow you through the home without touching a switch
Circadian lighting that adjusts colour temperature throughout the day to support your natural rhythm
Rule-based logic for holiday mode, away mode, and time-based scenes — all simple to configure
Controlled via the Loxone app, wall-mounted Touch Pure keypads, or voice assistants
Highly scalable — equally suited to a modest family home or a substantial country property
Rako — Wireless Lighting Control
Rako is a British-designed wireless lighting control system, ideal for retrofits and period homes where running new cabling would be disruptive.
No rewiring required in most cases — perfect for period properties and listed buildings
Scene-setting at the touch of a button from elegant, discreet wall plates
Integrates with Amazon Alexa and Google Home
Simple to expand — add rooms and circuits as your requirements grow
Intuitive Rako app for smartphone and tablet control from anywhere in the world
Which System Is Right for You?
Loxone is the natural choice when you want whole-home automation — one system that orchestrates lighting, climate, and security together. Rako is the outstanding option for lighting-focused projects, retrofits, and period homes where a wired system would be impractical.
Our team will assess your home and recommend the most appropriate solution during an initial consultation. In either case, the day-to-day experience is the same: simple, intuitive, and quietly brilliant.
How Smart Lighting Saves You Real Money
Energy bills are a genuine concern for homeowners across the UK. Intelligent lighting control addresses this directly.
Up to 80% less energy
LED lamps vs traditional halogen
~25% additional saving
From intelligent dimming and automation
25,000+ hours
Typical LED lifespan vs ~1,000 hours for halogen
Systems like Loxone and Rako use presence detection and occupancy sensors to ensure lights are never left on in empty rooms. Automated dimming reduces consumption whenever full brightness is not required — which is most of the time. Time-based schedules ensure outdoor and security lighting runs only when needed.
The savings compound. The combination of LED technology, smart dimming, and occupancy-based control can reduce a home’s lighting energy consumption by well over half compared to a standard halogen-and-switch setup.
LED Lighting: The Foundation of Any Efficient Scheme
The benefits of intelligent control are maximised when the underlying lighting is of the highest quality. SimpliHome Automation are not just control specialists — we supply and specify LED light fittings, drawing on deep technical knowledge to select the right products for every application.
Not all LED lighting is equal. Colour rendering, beam angle, colour temperature, and dimming compatibility vary considerably between products. A poorly chosen LED fitting can flicker, shift colour when dimmed, or cast unflattering light. We ensure every fitting we specify is fully compatible with your control system and delivers the quality of light your home deserves.
From recessed downlights and architectural linear LED to decorative pendants and exterior fittings, we can source, supply, and specify the complete lighting package — giving you a single point of responsibility and genuine peace of mind.
Interior Design, Elevated by Light
Professional interior designers have long understood what homeowners are now discovering: lighting is the single most transformative element in any interior. A well-lit room changes character entirely between morning and evening, between relaxed family time and a formal dinner.
With Loxone or Rako, you can save and recall lighting scenes for any occasion at the touch of a button:
“Dinner” — dims the pendants above the dining table and warms the tone
“Film” — extinguishes overhead lights and brings on a low, ambient wash
“Morning” — gradually brightens the bedroom from 07:00, replacing an abrupt alarm with a gentle awakening
These scenes are effortless to configure and even simpler to use. Whether you control them from a wall keypad, your smartphone, or by saying “Alexa, dinner mode”, the experience is seamless. Guests invariably ask how it works — but the honest answer is that you barely think about it. That is rather the point.
A Truly Turnkey Solution
One of the most common frustrations with smart home technology is coordinating multiple trades and suppliers. Lighting design, electrical works, cabling, controls, and fitting supply often involve several different companies — and the coordination falls on you.
SimpliHome Automation removes that burden entirely. In partnership with Ryland M&E, our trusted mechanical and electrical contractors, we offer a genuinely comprehensive service covering:
✦ Lighting design consultation and scheme specification
✦ Supply of all LED light fittings and control equipment
✦ Full first-fix and second-fix electrical installation
✦ Structured cabling and containment
✦ System programming, scene-setting, and commissioning
✦ Electrical certification in accordance with BS 7671 (18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations)
✦ Handover, training, and ongoing support
One point of contact. One project timeline. One team responsible for quality and compliance — from design concept to electrical sign-off.
“From design concept to electrical sign-off, SimpliHome Automation and Ryland M&E handle everything — so you can focus on enjoying the result.”
Is Smart Lighting Right for Your Home?
Intelligent lighting control is no longer reserved for high-end new builds. Thanks to wireless systems such as Rako, it is eminently practical in period properties, flats, and homes of all sizes. Whether you are refurbishing a single room, redesigning an entire floor, or planning a new home from the ground up, there is a system and a budget that works for you.
The investment pays back through reduced energy bills, extended lamp life, and the kind of daily comfort and convenience that is genuinely difficult to put a price on. Many of our clients tell us it is one of the best decisions they made during their renovation — and one they wish they had made sooner.
Ready to Transform Your Lighting?
Speak to the SimpliHome Automation team for a free, no-obligation consultation. We will assess your home, discuss your requirements, and outline the options that make the most sense for you.
SimpliHome Automation works in close partnership with Ryland M&E to deliver fully certified electrical installation alongside our lighting design and control services. All electrical works are completed in accordance with BS 7671 and Part P of the Building Regulations, with full certification provided on completion.
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