Intercom Systems for
NYC Townhouses

Both entries get their own door stations. For a single-owner townhouse with a basement rental, we install one system that covers both entries — the owner answers calls on their floors, the basement tenant on theirs. The front entry door station connects to the owner's floor and the basement buzzer handles the basement-level tenant separately. For a fully converted multi-unit building, we install a lobby panel with buttons for each unit, and all units share the front door — the basement tenant gets their own button just like any other unit.

Yes. IP-based intercom systems support simultaneous ringing on multiple devices — in-unit monitors on any floor, desk phones, and smartphone apps all ring at the same time when the button is pressed. The first one to answer handles the call; the others stop ringing. This covers the full height of a townhouse without requiring you to run to a specific floor to catch a door call.

We minimize wall work by using existing conduit where available and routing through basements, utility chases, and door frame channels. In townhouses where no existing conduit exists, some wall work is unavoidable for clean results — we identify these points during the assessment and discuss the tradeoffs with you before starting. Surface raceway is an option in utility areas where aesthetics are less critical.

Typically the outer door (storm door or vestibule iron gate) is the first controlled point — visitors need to open that before reaching the inner door. We install the door station and electric strike on the outer controlled entry. The inner door can have a separate strike as well if needed, creating a two-layer entry where visitors are held in a vestibule until buzzed through the second door. The right configuration depends on how the entry is physically laid out — we document it during the site visit.

For single-family and small multi-unit townhouses, Aiphone's JO and JB series (audio) and IX series (IP video with smartphone) are reliable workhorses we install regularly. For higher-end townhouses where aesthetics matter — flush-mount door stations, clean indoor touchscreens — we use 2N Verso or BAS-IP systems, which have a cleaner visual profile. For smart home integration (Control4, Crestron, Apple HomeKit), we select systems with appropriate integration capabilities. We help you choose based on your setup and preferences.