After the Install

By Nick Creighton

Real talk about smart home technology — protocols, automations, and the gear that actually works. From Matter and Zigbee to morning routines that run themselves.... more

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FAQs about After the Install:

How many episodes does After the Install have?

The podcast currently has 29 episodes available.

After the Install episodes:

June 05, 2026 Thread Border Router Vs Smart Home Hub 2025
The unseen battle for your home's brain. Host Nick Creighton tells the story of a neighbor’s upgrade that quietly ushered in a new era in her house: a split between the sluggish old world and Thread’s instant, magical response.
It’s not about a gadget you show off. It’s about the silent, essential box that decides the feel of your entire smart home.
Dive deeper on our blog. Listen to the full episode now.
...more
12min
June 05, 2026 Smart Blinds Automations
The daily dance against the sun is over.
Forget the flashy gadgets. The true smart home magic lives in your windows. Automating your blinds transforms not just light, but the entire feeling of your space—from a slow-roasted afternoon couch to a gentle, waking glow at dawn.
We explore how a single, affordable retrofit can save real money on energy bills and quietly orchestrate your home's comfort while you sleep or work. It’s the highest-return upgrade you’re not thinking about.
Dive deeper with our setup guide: [Link to blog post]
Let the light in, automatically. Listen now.
...more
8min
June 05, 2026 Smart Switch No Neutral Wire
**Show Notes: Smart Switch No Neutral Wire**
The old wiring in your walls isn't a dead end. It’s a different path. Nick explores how the missing neutral wire—once a dealbreaker for smart lights—has become a secret guide. It cuts through the noise, forcing smarter choices and leading to simpler, more reliable setups. This episode is for anyone who thought their older home couldn't keep up, revealing how constraint can become a kind of clarity.
A deeper dive: [The No-Neutral Companion Guide](https://example.com/blog)
If your house whispers its limits, this is how you listen.
...more
8min
May 24, 2026Local vs Cloud Security Cameras 2025
A 2:17 AM notification. A heart-pounding moment in the rain. It’s the cloud security camera’s promise—and its problem—in a single buzz.
Host Nick uses this midnight alert to explore the 2025 dilemma facing every smart home: Do your home's eyes live on a server far away, or in a black box on your shelf? It’s a quiet conflict between effortless convenience and total control, between a monthly subscription and a single, deliberate investment.
This episode isn’t about a simple winner. It’s about finding the right guardian for your home.
Read the companion post, "The Guardian in the Closet," for a deeper dive.
The full story is waiting on the episode.
Show Notes
In this episode, we explore local vs cloud security cameras 2025.
Resources Mentioned
Visit Smarthomewizards

More at Smarthomegearreviews

More at Theconnectedhaven
Related Articles
Smart Home Security

Best Smart Home Hub

Home Assistant Setup

Smart Lighting Guide

Best Robot Vacuums
Connect With Us
Website: smarthomewizards.com
Ready to upgrade your home? Get honest device reviews and step-by-step tutorials at smarthomewizards.com.
...more
11min
April 26, 2026Matter vs Zigbee: Which Smart Home Protocol Actually Works Right Now
MATTER VS THREAD VS ZIGBEE: WHICH SMART HOME PROTOCOL ACTUALLY WINS IN 2026
the protocol wars just got messier. matter promised to end them six months ago. zigbee just upgraded. thread's quietly building momentum. you're standing in the aisle looking at the same shelf wondering which choice keeps your lights actually working at 2am instead of leaving you debugging mesh networks in the dark.
here's what nick doesn't sugarcoat: matter handles lights and switches beautifully. zigbee does... basically everything else. thread is the sleeper. and the real cost isn't the hardware—it's what you discover after you've already committed.
this episode strips away the marketing and gives you the decision framework nobody's talking about. the one that saves you hundreds and the frustration that comes with picking wrong.
your smart home is about to get either way simpler or infinitely more complicated. depends on what you do in the next 20 minutes.
Read the companion breakdown: smartHomewizardry.com/protocol-showdown
tune in to figure out which protocol actually fits your life.
Related Reading
Voice Assistant Comparison: Alexa vs Google vs Siri — Smart Home Wizards
Matter Smart Home Protocol Explained — Smart Home Wizards
Thread Networking for Smart Homes — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Thermostat Comparison Guide — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Lighting Setup Guide for Beginners — Smart Home Wizards
...more
6min
April 26, 2026Your Smart Morning Routine Is Broken: Here Is How to Fix It
**Episode Title:** The Year I Automated Everything: What Broke, What Stuck, What I Would Skip
**Show:** After the Install
**Host:** Nick
Step into a world where mornings are serene and technology blends seamlessly into our lives. In this episode of "After the Install," Nick reflects on his year of automation — the highs, the hiccups, and the moments to skip. Picture waking to the enticing aroma of coffee, thanks to smart connections that streamline your day.
Join us as we explore the evolution of smart technology and its impact on our routines, while spotlighting a coffee maker that promises to elevate your mornings.
For a deeper dive, check out the companion blog post: [link]
Tune in for insights that might just transform your home.
Related Reading
Voice Assistant Comparison: Alexa vs Google vs Siri — Smart Home Wizards
Matter Smart Home Protocol Explained — Smart Home Wizards
Thread Networking for Smart Homes — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Thermostat Comparison Guide — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Lighting Setup Guide for Beginners — Smart Home Wizards
...more
9min
April 26, 2026Smart Bulbs Showdown: Hue vs LIFX vs Nanoleaf
Discover the gentle glow of smart lighting that transforms your space into a sanctuary. In this episode of SmartHome Wizardry, Nick uncovers how a simple setup can elevate your home ambiance and turn everyday moments into magical experiences. Explore seamless integration with protocols like Zigbee and Z-Wave, and learn why choosing the right smart switch can redefine your comfort. Say goodbye to the drudgery of outdated lighting and hello to effortless brilliance.
Ready to illuminate your world? Tune in now!
[Read more about smart lighting here](#)
Related Reading
Voice Assistant Comparison: Alexa vs Google vs Siri — Smart Home Wizards
Matter Smart Home Protocol Explained — Smart Home Wizards
Thread Networking for Smart Homes — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Thermostat Comparison Guide — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Lighting Setup Guide for Beginners — Smart Home Wizards
...more
9min
April 26, 2026Why Your Smart Home Locks Keep Disconnecting
# Why Your Smart Home Locks Keep Disconnecting
Your smart lock worked perfectly for three weeks. Then it started ghosting your hub every other day. You restart the system, it reconnects for twelve hours, then dies again.
If your smart lock keeps disappearing from your app, I'm about to save you three hours of troubleshooting and one very angry support chat.
The real culprit isn't your WiFi. And it's not the lock either.
Listen to After the Install wherever you get your podcasts.
Related Reading
Voice Assistant Comparison: Alexa vs Google vs Siri — Smart Home Wizards
Matter Smart Home Protocol Explained — Smart Home Wizards
Thread Networking for Smart Homes — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Thermostat Comparison Guide — Smart Home Wizards
Smart Lighting Setup Guide for Beginners — Smart Home Wizards
...more
8min
April 19, 2026The Year I Automated Everything: What Broke, What Stuck, What I Would Skip
Show Notes
Show Notes
Show Notes
Step into a world where mornings are serene and technology blends seamlessly into our lives. In this episode of "After the Install," Nick reflects on his year of automation — the highs, the hiccups, and the moments to skip. Picture waking to the enticing aroma of coffee, thanks to smart connections that streamline your day.
Resources Mentioned
Thread Networking for Smart Homes

Smart Thermostat Comparison Guide

Best Smart Home Devices (Lab Tested)
Related Articles
Voice Assistant Comparison: Alexa vs Google vs Siri

Smart Home Energy Savings Tips

Smart Plug Comparison Test

Connect With Us
Website: smarthomewizards.com
Ready to upgrade your home?
Resources Mentioned
Visit Smarthomewizards

More at Smarthomegearreviews

More at Theconnectedhaven
Related Articles
Smart Lighting Setup Guide for Beginners

Matter Smart Home Protocol Explained

Connected Home Security Tips

Essential Smart Home Devices and How to Use Them
Connect With Us
Website: smarthomewizards.com
Ready to upgrade your home?
Resources Mentioned
Visit Smarthomewizards

More at Smarthomegearreviews

More at Theconnectedhaven
Related Articles
Best Smart Home Hub

Home Assistant Setup

Smart Lighting Guide

Best Robot Vacuums

Smart Thermostat Comparison
Connect With Us
Website: smarthomewizards.com
Ready to upgrade your home? Get honest device reviews and step-by-step tutorials at smarthomewizards.com.
...more
5min

FAQs about After the Install:

How many episodes does After the Install have?

The podcast currently has 29 episodes available.