Where Should Security Cameras in the House Be Installed?

If you own a security camera for your house, you may have asked where you should and should not instal it to effectively monitor your property and discourage potential intruders.

Knowing where to put your CCTV cameras is crucial when using them to secure your property.

Seriously, what does that entail? When security cameras are properly installed, they will be able to see and record activity in every nook and cranny of your property, leaving no vulnerable points unguarded. It's crucial to secure and conceal any entryway, whether it's the front or back entrance.

There is no universally correct approach for installing security cameras because each person's home and yard is unique and has distinct budget and security goals. This manual, however, will help you examine every facet of your home's security system and zero in on the must-haves based on your specific risks.

Getting the Proper Cameras Is Step One

Security cameras are often purchased before a proper location has been determined. Because of the varied purposes for which security cameras are intended, it's important to select a manufacturer from among those that provides a wide range of camera kinds and mounting options.

Where Should Security Cameras Be Installed?

The primary concern is figuring out where to put the surveillance cameras. The following is a list, in order of significance, regarding the installation and use of security cameras:

Front Door

You would think that criminals only utilise back doors, but data shows that 34 percent of break-ins occur through the front door.

It's also a common target for parcel thieves. Having a camera at your front door allows you to keep tabs on everyone who comes and goes from your home, from family and nannies to maintenance workers, delivery persons, and more. Hint: video doorbells are a fantastic accessory for the front entrance.

As the main camera, or in addition to another outside camera pointed at the garage or yard.

Back Door

The next step is to install a surveillance camera in a strategic location, such as facing your home's rear entrance.

After the front door, this is the second most common entry point for intruders, and it's just as important to secure the main entrance.

Place your security cameras in strategic locations, but keep them out of reach of would-be intruders to get the most out of them and to protect them from damage or vandalism. Generally speaking, the second story is the sweet spot, as long as the camera lens or picture are able to see clearly at close range.

First-floor Window Security

The windows on the initial level of your home are one of the most likely areas for break-ins and incursions to occur, and they should be placed high on your list of priorities for the deployment of CCTV cameras. Other likely entry points include the front and rear back doors.

There is the possibility that smaller cameras might be installed above the window frame, but it is more probable that bigger, professional-grade security cameras will need to be installed on the side or corner of the building and angled towards the window.

They could even be positioned inside the building with their backs to the door but their faces facing the window in certain circumstances.

Install CCTV Cameras in Your Home's Corners

Total perimeter protection is necessary before installing CCTV cameras. The best way to accomplish this is to install cameras at each of your property's four corners, as well as your home's four corners, to provide complete, all-around coverage with no blind spots.

This necessitates the deployment of security cameras with a very broad field of view - often as much as 180 degrees - or an extremely large number of cameras pointing in all directions and at all angles, arranged so as to overlap and therefore remove blind spots.

A good idea is to install CCTV cameras at the front gate and along the fence's perimeter if you have one installed to keep unwanted visitors out. You can install these cameras on the fence itself or inside the perimeter, on trees or posts, with the appropriate orientation (i.e., facing outward).

Interior Security Cameras Should Not Be Ignored

Finally, the placement of CCTV cameras within the house is equally as crucial as outside in the event of a break-in or other security breach. The most important areas of your home to monitor are the stairwells, the front door, the foyer, and the rear door.

It's also a good idea to keep an eye on the storage areas and loading docks. A CCTV camera, ideally with night vision or infrared capabilities, should be installed in the basement if there is an exterior entrance there.

Locations where a security camera should never be installed

Privacy-violating places

Though security cameras might provide peace of mind, it's important to respect the personal space of your neighbours. It's a good idea to check with the local authorities and the HOA to make sure that you won't have to take down your cameras and privacy screens if you decide to instal them.

Homeowners are often permitted to install exterior security cameras that record over a large area, and it is generally accepted that recording your neighbor's publicly accessible property is acceptable.

Your cameras may run afoul of the law if they record images of areas where your neighbours have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as their beds or bathrooms, or if you intend to utilise the footage for anything other than security.

Remember that these guidelines are specific to video monitoring. It is illegal to record someone's voice without their knowledge and consent.

Bathrooms and bedrooms

It's only natural to want to keep an eye on the young ones or the elderly in your home.

To be fair, though, there are some places where discretion is warranted. And if you utilise a monitoring service, a hacker might potentially gain access to a camera that is watching your most personal areas.

There are, fortunately, numerous options available. Installing a baby monitor in a room where a small child is sleeping is a good idea.

Additions to doors and windows can be made to a networked home security system, such as motion detectors and glass break sensors. Many elders have found peace of mind with the use of personal medical alert systems.

Optimize camera positioning for functionality and visibility

Once you've settled on a set of target regions, you'll need a plan for installing and positioning the security cameras that will keep an eye on them.

Outdoor security camera placement recommendations

• Mount the cameras eight to ten feet in the air. This height is optimal since it allows for the recording of minute details while still being out of reach of would-be vandals.
• Avoid pointing your camera at the sun. Your footage will be difficult to interpret due to glare and extreme contrast caused by the strong light. Keep the sun's path in mind and aim your cameras where they will receive diffuse illumination.
• You can opt to have the camera exposed or concealed. The presence of visible security cameras serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars, but the cameras themselves can be the subject of theft and destruction. To make their cameras less vulnerable to vandalism, some homeowners choose to display a dummy camera and then use a second, more discreet camera as a backup.
• To keep the camera safe from the elements. Not all outdoor security cameras are created equal, and the best of them feature extensive weather- and waterproofing. Select a camera with a weatherproof rating suitable for your area, then instal it in a partially sheltered area, such as under an overhang.

Indoor security placement guidelines

• You should stick to the corners. Typically, the best view from an indoor camera is obtained by mounting it in a room's corner.
• Problems with reflection can be brought on by windows. The image quality of a camera may suffer if you point it out the window. Security cameras with infrared light technology can see in the dark and better detect motion. Light from infrared sources can be diffused by glass, making it difficult to see through windows and other transparent surfaces at night. Having trouble seeing details in your footage? It could be due to reflections.
• Placing the lens as near to the glass as feasible and/or illuminating the external area (possibly with motion detection lights) are two ways to reduce glare if a camera must be pointed out a window. Possessing broad dynamic range technology in your camera can be useful as well.
• Lighting at an off-angle. A similar warning applies to direct sunlight: it will completely destroy your footage. When using an inside camera, make sure that bright sources of light like lamps and windows are not in the frame. You should keep your camera's back turned to any of these lights.

Other Things to Think About

After you've selected which areas need protection, we'd like to point out some things to think about before setting up your cameras.

• Hidden Vs. Visible: There is some disagreement among security experts as to whether or not visible cameras are preferable for home protection. A poll of 86 convicted thieves found that the convicted burglars themselves were split on whether or not the presence of a security camera would discourage them from committing a crime. It was found that some potential burglars would avoid a house because they could see a security camera, while others saw the cameras as a good indicator that the house contained valuables. There is no silver bullet, so you'll have to judge for yourself how obvious your cameras can be.
• Durability: When installing outdoor cameras, it's crucial to think about the elements they'll be exposed to, especially if they won't be covered. Covered outdoor cameras should be able to withstand extreme temperatures and should have a high IP rating for protection against solids and liquids; for a selection of our most resilient cameras, see the best outdoor cameras of 2023.
• Glare and Reflection: Keep in mind that reflection and glare can significantly diminish the quality of your cameras' footage, especially in sunny areas, rooms with mirrors, or any space outside. To combat the problem of glare caused by direct sunlight, cameras with High Dynamic Range (HDR) should be used in outdoor settings. Our reviews of the Arlo Pro 3 and the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor will tell you all about two great weatherproof cameras that also include high dynamic range. As an alternative to pointing an indoor camera directly towards the sun, indirect light is preferable.
• Number of Cameras: Think about the impact of the quantity of cameras that you have on your Internet speed, particularly if all of them use Wi-Fi. It could be beneficial to install a separate router for the security cameras.
• Close proximity to valuable items: The most precious items in your home should be given priority when determining where to install security cameras, as this is where criminals will first search. Just what is it that people believe to be the most priceless? You may feel sentimental about it, but it's not your 1980s wedding gown. Instead, 34% took some sort of home appliance or portable electronic device like a TV, while 31% took more personal portable goods including keys, jewels, watches, furs, bags, briefcases, and apparel. Inmates cited gadgets, cash, jewellery, credit cards, firearms, and collectibles as the most desirable goods to take.
• Beyond the reach of criminals: Place your cameras in strategic, hard-to-access areas if at all possible. In the following section, we will share some advice on how to achieve this goal.

Should you get security cameras installed professionally?

It's up to you if you want to do your own installation of security cameras or hire a professional. There's no need to try and make sense of everything on your own if the material in the manufacturer's instructions leaves you feeling confused.

These gadgets, however, have become more hospitable and accessible over time, and they are frequently designed for straightforward self-installation.

DIY home security camera setups are typically less complicated than those of professionally monitored systems. These cameras typically just require a hardwired connection to their power supply, as they can interact with one another through Wi-Fi.

Video doorbells or peephole cameras, which are smaller than standard security cameras, typically run on batteries to further simplify their use.

Installing security cameras outside of a building can be more difficult if: (1) there are few outlets outside the building; (2) you lack the necessary tools; or (3) you are unwilling to alter the aesthetics of the building. An expert with previous camera installation knowledge may be useful in such circumstances.

Finally, you can't always set up your own surveillance cameras.

Many of the best companies that offer monitoring home security systems also insist on having them professionally installed. A skilled expert may come to your home and take care of everything so you don't have to.

There are many do-it-yourself security systems you may install if you're determined to avoid paying for a monitoring service.

Conclusion

Due to the fact that everyone has a different budget and set of priorities when it comes to home and yard security, there is no one best way to set up a surveillance camera system.

If you follow the advice in this manual, you'll be able to assess your home's security from every angle and zero in on the essentials based on your unique threats. There is a high probability that intruders will try to enter your home through the ground floor windows.

Installation of CCTV cameras should wait until the entire perimeter has been secured. Putting a camera at each of your property's four corners is a good first step in this direction.

Watching the stairwells, front door, and foyer of your home is crucial. Keep an eye on the warehouse and loading docks as well. Make sure you won't be asked to remove cameras by checking with the HOA and any relevant local authorities.

Content Summary

• Knowing where to put your CCTV cameras is crucial when using them to secure your property.
• It's crucial to secure and conceal any entryway, whether it's the front or back entrance.
• This manual, however, will help you examine every facet of your home's security system and zero in on the must-haves based on your specific risks.
• The primary concern is figuring out where to put the surveillance cameras.
• Hint: video doorbells are a fantastic accessory for the front entrance.
• The next step is to install a surveillance camera in a strategic location, such as facing your home's rear entrance.
• After the front door, this is the second most common entry point for intruders, and it's just as important to secure the main entrance.
• Place your security cameras in strategic locations, but keep them out of reach of would-be intruders to get the most out of them and to protect them from damage or vandalism.
• The windows on the initial level of your home are one of the most likely areas for break-ins and incursions to occur, and they should be placed high on your list of priorities for the deployment of CCTV cameras.
• Other likely entry points include the front and rear back doors.
• Total perimeter protection is necessary before installing CCTV cameras.
• The best way to accomplish this is to install cameras at each of your property's four corners, as well as your home's four corners, to provide complete, all-around coverage with no blind spots.
• A good idea is to install CCTV cameras at the front gate and along the fence's perimeter if you have one installed to keep unwanted visitors out.
• Finally, the placement of CCTV cameras within the house is equally as crucial as outside in the event of a break-in or other security breach.
• The most important areas of your home to monitor are the stairwells, the front door, the foyer, and the rear door.
• Though security cameras might provide peace of mind, it's important to respect the personal space of your neighbours.
• It's a good idea to check with the local authorities and the HOA to make sure that you won't have to take down your cameras and privacy screens if you decide to instal them.
• Your cameras may run afoul of the law if they record images of areas where your neighbours have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as their beds or bathrooms, or if you intend to utilise the footage for anything other than security.
• Remember that these guidelines are specific to video monitoring.
• And if you utilise a monitoring service, a hacker might potentially gain access to a camera that is watching your most personal areas.
• Installing a baby monitor in a room where a small child is sleeping is a good idea.