Lighting is one of the most effective ways to deter burglars, improve visibility, and make your Atlanta-area home safer. But homeowners often confuse smart lights with permanent exterior lights, assuming they're the same. In reality, they serve different purposes—and combining them creates one of the strongest security layers for Georgia homes.
Here's everything you need to know.
What Are Smart Lights?
Smart lights are lighting devices connected to your home's Wi-Fi or smart home platform (like Samsung SmartThings). They allow you to control your lighting from anywhere.
Common Types of Smart Lights
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Smart bulbs
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Smart switches
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Smart plugs controlling lamps
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Smart floodlights
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Motion-activated security lights
What Smart Lights Can Do
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Turn on/off remotely
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Activate on schedules
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Respond to motion or door sensors
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Integrate with your home security system
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Mimic occupancy when you're away
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Change brightness or color (depending on model)
Why Smart Lights Improve Security
Smart lighting makes your home look lived in—even when you're out of town or at work. In Atlanta neighborhoods where break-ins are often crimes of opportunity, lights that turn on automatically can stop a burglar from even approaching.
What Are Permanent Lights? (Like EverLights)
Permanent lights are professionally installed LED lighting systems mounted along your home's exterior—usually along the roofline, soffits, or trim.
EverLights, offered by Ackerman Security, are:
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Weatherproof
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Nearly invisible during the day
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App-controlled
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Fully customizable for holidays, special events, or nightly security
These are not the same as smart lights. They are a permanent exterior lighting system, designed to last for years without removing or reinstalling anything.
Benefits of Permanent Exterior Lights
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Year-round visibility around your home
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A major deterrent for intruders
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Professional, elegant aesthetic
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No ladders or holiday light installations
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Customizable colors for security or celebration
Why Permanent Lights Improve Security
Burglars avoid well-lit homes. Permanent lights eliminate dark corners—especially in Atlanta's wooded and suburban areas where shadows offer cover.
Smart Lights vs. Permanent Lights: Key Differences
| Feature | Smart Lights | Permanent Lights |
|---|---|---|
| Installation | DIY or electrician | Permanent professional installation |
| Location | Indoors & outdoors | Mostly exterior (roofline) |
| Control | Full smart-home integration | App-based preset control |
| Purpose | Convenience, automation, routines | Visibility, aesthetics, security |
| Security Role | Creates unpredictability inside/outside | Eliminates dark areas permanently |
They aren't the same—but they are perfect complements.
Why Combining Both Provides the Best Home Security in Atlanta
When you use smart lights + permanent lights, you create a layered, powerful lighting strategy:
1. Permanent Lights = Nightly Exterior Protection
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Keep your perimeter bright
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Deter suspicious activity
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Improve camera visibility
Perfect for Atlanta and Georgia neighborhoods with wooded lots or long driveways.
2. Smart Lights = Automation + Instant Response
Smart lights can integrate with your Ackerman home security system:
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Turn on when a camera detects motion
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Activate when a door opens
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Trigger when your alarm is armed or disarmed
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Follow "away-from-home" lighting routines
This creates unpredictable patterns burglars hate.
3. Together: A Home Burglars Avoid
Burglars in Georgia often look for:
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Dark homes
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Predictable schedules
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No signs of life
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Homes without lighting variation
Combining smart lights + permanent lights eliminates all four risks.
Light Up Your Atlanta Home With Ackerman Security
Ackerman Security offers both:
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Smart home lighting integrations with Samsung SmartThings
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Permanent outdoor lighting options like EverLights
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Full security systems that tie everything together
When your lighting works hand-in-hand with alarms, cameras, and smart home automation, your home becomes one of the least appealing targets for burglars.
Ready to secure and brighten your home? Contact Ackerman Security today to schedule your free consultation.
