How To Set Up a DIY Home Security System

Home Alone? How to Set Up A Great Home Security System

Home security is an important part of being a homeowner. Keeping yourself, your family, and your possessions safe is of paramount importance. Even if you live in a low-crime area, home invasions are a reality. In the USA, an average of one million burglaries takes place every year. This means that you need a home security system you can rely on.

Fortunately, setting up a security system from scratch has never been easier, as affordable technology is becoming more commodified every year.

Protecting your home and its inhabitants no longer has to cost you an arm and a leg. There are plenty of valid and effective options for homeowners to invest in.

To help you safeguard your home, we’re going to unpack some of the key elements of a security system that you can purchase, install, and activate quickly and easily.

How Effective is a Home Alarm System?

One of the first things that people assume about home security systems is that they’re not as effective as the equipment supplied by a security company. This is simply not the case. There are plenty of high-quality products and tools available that work just as well.

Technology has made significant advances in all areas over the past few decades, and home security devices and tools are one of them.

The kind of products available now far exceed the efficiency and reliability of those offered even just five years ago. This means that as a homeowner, you have access to some of the most innovative and modern home security technology available.

What’s more, even though a home security system won’t be cheap, it will still be significantly less expensive than paying a business to source and install one for you.

The First Step: Mapping Out Your House

Before you buy the equipment for your new home security system, you’ll need a solid understanding of the structure of your house.

Set aside some time to draw up an aerial map of your property. Then, familiarize yourself with all major and minor entry points to identify areas most vulnerable to intrusion.

Consider the placement of your bedrooms and other rooms that contain valuable goods. Once you know where your priorities lie, you can begin plotting ideal spots for beams, sensors, cameras and other equipment.

Customization and personalization are two of the major benefits that come with setting up your own home security system. Nobody knows your home better than you. You’re the best person for the job of knowing which areas need more protection than others.

The Four Key Components of a Home Security System

When going about setting up a home security system, there are four major components you will need to consider before installation.

It’s not essential to incorporate all of these components into your system. However, learning more about them will help you come to a decision about which ones suit the structure of your home and provide your ideal level of security.

Motion Detectors

Motion detectors are small electrical devices containing a sensor that can detect movement. They play a huge role in most home security systems because of their effective ability to identify sudden or unusual movements.

Motion detectors or perimeter beams are used inside and outside, and when activated, they’ll sound the alarm.

Window and door sensors detect movement, and will trigger the alarm when the two contact points separate. There are also glass break sensors that trigger when glass gets smashed. Ideally, a combination of indoor sensors, outdoor perimeter beams and door and window contact sensors provides the most comprehensive security for your home.

Cameras

Cameras are another important key element of any effective home security system. However, they provide more of a passive contribution to security. They record any activities that occur and aid in identifying culprits and gaining insight into how an intrusion occurred.

You can also place cameras at main entry points with a corresponding indoor screen. This allows you to observe anyone who stands within reach of a lens.

Alarms

A simple alarm is a very effective deterrent when placed in the right area and set to the right pitch. Loud, confusing, and able to induce mild to severe panic, the loud ringing of a well-positioned alarm is often enough to scare most intruders off.

There are a wide variety of alarms available, usually in a package deal that allows users to place multiple triggers at major entry points. You can also choose from a variety of different alarm sounds, which will differentiate your home from the next.

Main Keypad Panel

If you opt for buying a home security system kit, it will most likely come with a keypad panel that behaves as the brains of the whole operation. This keypad is where you can activate or deactivate your system, as well as enter passcodes that trigger certain actions.

The keypad panel is linked to a radio or has a wireless signal that can link you to a security company that will respond if your alarm triggers. If you opt for a smart home alarm you’ll have a digital control panel app on your phone. This allows you to set your alarm remotely and access a digital keypad even when you’re not at home.

Picking a DIY-Friendly Security System

When choosing the equipment for your personalized home security system you’ll want to go for options that are advanced enough that you can rely on them for protection. Yet are simple enough for you to set up on your own.

Even if you have some experience with DIY projects, this is not one that should be set up on a whim or without following careful instructions. The last things you want for your home security system are faulty connections or dysfunctional assembly. However, most traditional security systems work in a similar way. You shouldn’t have to do much more than drill a few holes, mount your sensors and beams, and sync up the wires between your alarm and the electrical system.

All your alarm equipment should come with clear instructions and user manuals. Once you’ve read through your instructions, you can take your newfound knowledge and start applying it.

If at any stage you’re not feeling confident about your installation, you can always enlist the assistance of a professional. You’ll still save yourself money as you’ll have all the equipment needed.

Once installed, your system will add an extra layer of security to your home, and you’ll enjoy additional peace of mind too.

Need assistance installing your alarm? Billy.com is here to help you find top contractors for all your home improvement projects.