All About Residential and Commercial Intercom Repair and Installation, Common Types of Intercom Systems, and Winch Intercom Fit Your Needs.
Are you looking to beef up your security system? It might be some time since you’ve updated the alarm system or replaced the cameras outside of your home or office. These days, a lot of people are looking to get new intercoms to better interact with visitors.
Before you start searching for “intercom installers near me,” you should research the different options out there. There’s no one size fits all solution, and what might be right for your neighbors might not suit your situation. You need to consider your specific needs and the setup of your home.
A Los Angeles intercom installer might be able to give you some great advice about what systems to look into, but there are several other factors to consider before you decide what model is right for you. If you’re feeling insecure about your intercom needs, then let’s take a look at aspects to think about when choosing the best system for you.
Intercom Basics
Regardless of whether your intercom is for the home or office, some basic components are identical to both locations. However, there are still some decisions you’ll need to make to identify what the best system is for your needs. The key devices you need to know are:
- The master station, which is also known as the central control panel
- The sub-stations which connect to the control panel and are often speakers or slave units
- The power supply allows all of the components to function
Once you understand the basics of an intercom system, you can decide how you want it to get activated. You can also choose how the master station, sub-stations, and power supply will get used.
Intercom Activation Options
You might think there’s only one way to activate an intercom, and that’s by pushing a button and talking into it. However, technology has advanced significantly, and now you have plenty of options to choose from when it comes to how to interact with visitors.
Push-Buttons
The push is still available and is a classic for a reason. It just works, and anyone can operate it. There’s no confusion, allowing your visitors and employees to use the system with minimal training.
Keypads
Keypads offer extra security by requiring your visitors to enter a numeric pin code before entering the facilities. You can combine this option with a traditional push-button intercom so that you have to provide individuals with the code over the speaker.
Card Readers
You can issue magnetic access cards to other employees to gain access to the premises and supply them to visitors in a secure way. Some companies will store these in lockboxes for contractors and provide them with a pin code to access it.
Proximity Readers
Instead of issuing and replacing access cards, another alternative is to use other credentials to enter the building. Digital cards on smartphones are becoming more popular as they don’t require any physical medium, and they are simple to disable when access is no longer necessary.
Biometric Scanner
A state of the art intercom system can feature more unique ways to gain access. You can use fingerprints, retinal scanners, and facial recognition to identify people.
It can take some time to set this system up. However, it’s tough to trick, and it will provide peace of mind that only authorized individuals are stepping foot on the premises.
How to Choose the Right Intercom for You?
You’re not expected to know everything there is to know about intercom systems. When you meet with your installer, there are some extra questions you should ask to ensure that you get the right setup for your needs. These include:
- Is there any post-event analysis included with the system?
- How secure is the intercom system?
- Why is this brand the best for this situation?
- How long will this system last?
- Does it integrate with my existing security system?
- Can it function with my current communication technology?
There are also some questions that you should ask yourself before committing to a system. You should even do some research online to find examples of intercom setups similar to the one recommended to you. Some of the best questions to ask yourself are:
- What do I need my intercom for?
- What systems does my intercom need to integrate with?
- Is there a home intercom near me that’s similar to my proposed setup?
- Is there an office intercom near me that has a good system?
- Is there an intercommunication system near me I should base my setup on?
- Are there any intercom system repair contractors near me who can help if something goes wrong?
Some intercom installers can help provide you with references and examples of systems that might meet your needs. While the result may not be the same due to your unique setup and requirements, it can help get you started on choosing the right one for you.
The Most Common Types of Intercom Systems
Intercoms have come a long way over the years by not only improving the voice functionality but also incorporating video to better help identify visitors. There are many factors to consider when deciding on the type of system that’s right for you, such as the distance from the intercom and the door as well as the layout of the property. Some of the common types of systems include:
- IP video intercoms allow you to interact with visitors using smartphones or tablets
- Telephone intercoms can send calls to a specific handset or divert to a particular phone number
- Wireless intercoms don’t require any wiring at all and use wifi to function in your home or office
- Guard station intercom systems are specifically designed for larger facilities where you need additional security for any visitors coming onto the premises
A technician can help identify the right setup for you based on your unique needs. They can also make recommendations on the best brands that specialize in the type of intercom you want.
Popular Intercom Brands
If you do an internet search for intercom brands, you’ll come across hundreds of companies that offer multiple types of systems. But when it comes to home security, you want a company that you can trust. Some of the most reliable intercom businesses are:
- DoorBird products use high-quality German engineering for its products
- Hikvision IP and 2-Wire Intercom specialize in video technology for its intercoms
- JO Series Aiphone 2-Wire Intercom offers a range of wired and WiFi systems
- DoorKing offer intercom systems for homes, parking garages, and every other type of business that exists
These are just a few examples of popular brands, however, there are plenty of other stockists that carry top of the line intercoms. You should rely on an intercom specialist to advise the right company for your needs.
Typical Uses for Intercoms
While the most common type of intercom is the classic door and speaker push-button model, sometimes this isn’t the best solution for all homes and businesses. Depending on the property’s layout or the existing security in place, you may need to improvise on how to implement a system.
For example, pedestrian doors and gates may require your standard push-button style system. You may also want to incorporate video before you let anyone onto the premises. These systems even work for electric gates.
Apartment buildings also require an advanced form of intercom system because you’re not just protecting yourself, but everyone else in the building. Video options can be the best option to record any visitors who come through the door.
If you own an Airbnb property, then you might want to think about keypad intercoms. You can easily send the code to the guests and change it once they checkout.
Commercial buildings in industrial areas have different needs altogether. The right intercom can depend on your industry and security requirements. Sometimes biometric readers might seem overkill, but not if you work for the government or on highly classified projects.
Hardware and Accessory Options
Your intercom system doesn’t have to start and end with the standard speakers and video systems. There are options to include other items that can further enhance your security system. Some common hardware and accessory options are:
- Mobile operations
- Magnetic locks
- Door strikes
- Motion sensors
- Contactless entry
While many of these are optional, they are worth considering. They can be a good compromise if some aspects of your intercom system aren’t possible due to your layout or existing security equipment.
Repairing vs. Installation
If you have an existing security system installed, you may be able to integrate a new intercom platform. However, if the system is quite old with poor wiring, then you might be better off replacing the whole thing and starting over. This can be quite costly though.
You also shouldn’t wait for construction to complete before installing an intercom system. It’s better to contact installers while you’re building so they can evaluate the best way to implement the platform.
Intercom Repair and New Installation?
Once you’ve decided on your intercom setup, the next step is to get it installed. You could look for the products online and buy them yourself. But if you want it done right then just call us, we will help you choose the right intercom for you and install it.
The Tech Guys Doors and Gates can help secure your house, business, or facility with some of the industry’s top brands. If you want advice on the right intercom system for you, then get in contact with us today, and we’ll have you feeling safer in no time.