Home Security Systems You Can Install Yourself

Here is everything you need to know about home security systems. Read on.

Home security is a serious business every homeowner must deeply consider to protect not just their assets but the people they love. Unfortunately, having a professional home system installed can be costly – which is why a lot of homeowners don’t do it.

The good news is that thanks to the advancements in technology today, you have the chance to install home security systems without the exorbitant cost. Using only items you can purchase online and a little bit of knowledge with tools, you should be able to setup a system to keep your home protected.

Image by Gary Pearce from Pixabay 

Types of Home Security Systems

There are basically two types of home security systems today: the wired and wireless. From the name, you can probably note that different between the two. However, which one should you choose for your home? Below are some information on the wired and wireless DIY home security systems.

Wired

The wired type is usually trickier to install and therefore not a favorite for DIY jobs, unless you’re quite adept with the installation process. The wire goes to every possible entry/exit point like the doors and windows. When triggered, a wired system may release a sound alert, telling the homeowner that someone managed to enter the house without permission.

Wireless

A wireless system is a favorite among homeowners because they’re incredibly easy to use and install for your home. By far, this is the perfect choice for DIY installations. The system works electronically, much like how your car manages to lock/unlock to a remote. Like the wired type, this comes with multiple sensors you can install in different parts of the house. When a sensor is tripped, you can easily tell exactly where the breach occurred.

Sound Alarm

Sound alarm home security systems can be either wired or wireless. For a long time, they’ve been a standard in most homes – releasing a screech that wakes up the household whenever one of the sensors is tripped.

Camera Security Systems

Nowadays, sound alarms are accompanied by camera security systems. Although sounds definitely provide a faster ‘alert’ for homeowners, the camera makes it easier for homeowners to identify individuals who dare to enter their home without permission. Thanks to the internet, camera security systems can be both wired and wireless, relying heavily on a home’s internet connection when providing captures of images and videos.

Locks – locks come in different types. You’ll find old-school dead bolt locks that make it nearly impossible for people from the outside to come in. Most homeowners utilize multiple locks to increase the security of their home. Today, there are also electronic locks requiring a pin or even a thumbprint entry system. For most homeowners, this is their first defense against any breaches.

Note that you have two options when it comes to security system DIY: piece meal approach or a kit approach. By piecemeal, you’ll be purchasing the components piece by piece, depending on what you need. Hence, you’ll be buying cameras and then purchasing sensors, a hard drive to store information, etc. The beauty of this approach is that you’ll be able to customize every piece as much as you want. If you happen to own a large home, you can buy more cameras/sensors than a kit would provide.

A kit on the other hand is more DIY friendly for the simple reason that it contains everything you need, each one perfectly synched with the other. The downside is that the cameras and sensors may be limited. The fact that it’s sold as a kit means the components you want may not be matched together, creating a gap in quality.

Looking at Wireless – Types Available

Since wired home systems typically require professional installation, this article will concentrate on wireless home security systems that you can do yourself. Following are the different systems you have the chance to choose from:

Landline – landline systems are still wireless; but they utilize your phone system when triggering an alarm. Basically, the landline is used as the anchor to communicate when one of the sensors tripped. If you happen to have a landline, then this is always a good option. Note though that this could also mean problems if the landline loses power. Hence, it’s fairly easy to get past this type of wireless security. This is NOT an option when checking out DIY.

Cellular – instead of using a landline, the security system utilizes the cellular signal to send a message when an alarm is tripped. In terms of security, this is often better because cellular systems are rarely interrupted.

Broadband – perhaps the best choice today, broadband or internet-based home security systems are easy to set up, fast, and reliable. The only downside is that it might make your internet connection slower since the system will be using bandwidth to establish communication.

Important Components of a Security System Kit

A security system kit usually comes with several components. Some of them might be ‘extra’ while others are a definite must in keeping your home safe. Following are the different parts that you should definitely consider when choosing a kit:

• Sensors – at least 3 sensors, these are often placed in different points of entry in your home
• Cameras – not all kits come with cameras, but the inclusion of one is definitely a plus. Look for something with a decent resolution to capture images and videos in good quality.
• Warranty – don’t forget to check the warranty of whatever equipment you’re installing at home. If you’ve opted for a piecemeal approach then at least make sure that all parts fall within the same warranty.
• Remote/Main Control – obviously, you’d need something that makes it possible for you to control the sensors/cameras. This component should also make it possible for you to gather data from the sensors/cameras to your computers for surveillance purposes.
• Type of Protection – there is currently different types of security methods used to keep your system secure. Today, the best types for homeowners would be the WPA2 system, allowing you to choose a password to prevent others from accessing your network. There’s also WPA and 108.1X Authentication if you’re so inclined.
• Video Storage – technically not a ‘must’, video storage should be able to help you monitor activity in your home, especially if you happen to have nannies or hired help when you’re aware. Videos will tell you what they’re doing and whether they’re following your orders before leaving home.
• 2 Way Talk System – this one is definitely a ‘perk’ of security systems today. This gives you the chance to talk to the other person via video camera, making it easier for you to leave instructions or issue orders without picking up the phone.
• Remote Access – most security systems allow you to log on to a website where a live video streaming of the videos are provided even while you’re away from home.

Which One Is Best for You?

Of course, prior to buying a DIY home security system, it’s best to first consider your personal needs. There are several factors that come into play with this starting with the crime rate in your area. Is your crime rate high or is it fairly low and you’re just doing it for insurance purposes? Your status as a homeowner should also be considered. Following are some suggestions on how to make that choice:

• Renters – if you’re a renter, it’s best to purchase a security system that’s easy to install and move around the house. This becomes doubly important if you plan to switch homes anywhere in the future.
• Homeowners – homeowners have the chance to be more flexible with their choices. You can even opt for a wired security system if you’re 100% sure that the current home you’re living in would be your last one.
• Access – what kind of access do you want for your security? Do you wish to monitor what’s going on by phone, tablet, or laptop? Fortunately, there are currently apps that make this possible and more often than not, these systems have their own app tie-ins so you’d be sure to find something compatible.

How to Install Home Security Systems

The installation process obviously varies depending on the type of system you have. Following are some tips on how to proceed with the DIY installation:

• Choose where your sensors will be placed. Obviously, the most ideal locations would be areas of exit/entrance such as the door and windows. However, note that for wireless installations, there’s usually a specific range of coverage. Know the coverage for your current unit.
• If your security system involves camera, it’s also a good idea to figure out the size of the screen. You’d want something that manages to cover a large area of the house, therefore minimizing the existence of blind spots
• Cameras also mean video feeds, but how exactly do you intend to use those video feeds? Most homeowners have no problem saving the feeds in a hard drive and simply deleting the oldest feeds to make space for new ones.
• Try everything out after installation. Are you getting all the images you want? How wide is the span of the cameras? Can you tilt the cameras if you want to provide a different view?
• If you purchased your kit from a security system specialist, try asking them for additional tips and tricks on how to proceed with the installation

Additional Protection for Your Home 

Of course, some homeowners may not have the means to install their own home security systems. If this is the case, you can always fortify the security of your home through old-school methods. Following are some tips on how to make this possible:

• Lights – light is a sure sign that a home is occupied and that the people inside are active and awake. In most cases, sufficient light is already enough to prevent burglars from coming in. Make sure the porch has enough light to tell you who is knocking on your door.
• Fake Installations – if you don’t think you have the resources for a security system, you can always fake it. Use fake cameras or install cameras without actually synching them to a network. In some cases, even the simple presence of cameras is enough to detract thieves from entering your home.
• Automatic lights – if you want to save on energy, the use of automatic lights is also a great idea. Some homes today utilize solar lights for their yard to also conserve energy. Automatic lights work by illuminating the path where people walk as soon as it senses motion in the area.
• Carbon Monoxide/Smoke Sensors – when people think ‘security’, this often means protecting your home against outside forces. However, this might not always be the case since indoor problems also abound. A good example would be smoke and carbon monoxide floating around the house. You can easily install these without needing to synch it with anything inside a system.
• Faking Presence – this one’s pretty basic but a lot of people still forget this. Simply put, don’t let others find out that you’re away from home. Cancel newspaper deliveries while on vacation and post your vacation pictures after you get home. Make sure your lawn is mowed and that the garden is neatly trimmed.

Why DIY?

A common question asked is: why should you settle for a DIY home security installation? The most obvious reason is that it’s cheaper. Compared to professional installations, DIY’s usually cost along the low hundreds. Another additional benefit is the fact that they’re easy to manipulate. In most cases, DIY installations are easy to move around which means that you have full control over surveillance.

When it comes to home security, you’ll find that you have tons of options. Take the time to browse the internet as you please, keeping in mind your personal preferences when making comparisons. This way, you’d be able to choose the perfect DIY system that meets your needs. For more information, check out online and choose from some of the most popular brands today.