What Type Of Alarm System Do I Need?
If you have time, please visit the alarm system terms and definitions page before continuing.
I live in a high rise condo, which I own.
Condo owners need to use an "all in one" wireless alarm system. The keypad, panel, and wireless receiver come all in one unit, and the only hard wiring required is from the phone line to the unit itself. All other devices such as door contacts or motion sensors are wireless, and are easy to install and/or move. Please remember the limitations of these "all in one" systems and use hard wired devices wherever possible. You should buy your system outright in this case. This type of dwelling is the easiest to protect, because there are obviously not many potential entry points for burglars.
Condo owners need to use an "all in one" wireless alarm system. The keypad, panel, and wireless receiver come all in one unit, and the only hard wiring required is from the phone line to the unit itself. All other devices such as door contacts or motion sensors are wireless, and are easy to install and/or move. Please remember the limitations of these "all in one" systems and use hard wired devices wherever possible. You should buy your system outright in this case. This type of dwelling is the easiest to protect, because there are obviously not many potential entry points for burglars.
I live in an apartment, and pay monthly rent.
This is one of the only cases where we would recommend renting or leasing your alarm. Remember to pay particular attention to the contract you are signing: What length of time are you required to stay with the company? Are there penalties for cancelling early? Can the contract be transferred to your apartment's new tenant? Many alarm companies offer to move your system for free to your new location if you move. However, the contract will usually require you to be monitored for a certain length of time (usually 2 years out of a 3-5 year contract) before you qualify. If not, you will have to pay a service fee to have the system moved (anywhere from $200-$600). You will most likely need to use an "all in one" wireless system to avoid drilling too many holes, and running wires through your landlord's walls.
This is one of the only cases where we would recommend renting or leasing your alarm. Remember to pay particular attention to the contract you are signing: What length of time are you required to stay with the company? Are there penalties for cancelling early? Can the contract be transferred to your apartment's new tenant? Many alarm companies offer to move your system for free to your new location if you move. However, the contract will usually require you to be monitored for a certain length of time (usually 2 years out of a 3-5 year contract) before you qualify. If not, you will have to pay a service fee to have the system moved (anywhere from $200-$600). You will most likely need to use an "all in one" wireless system to avoid drilling too many holes, and running wires through your landlord's walls.
I live in a townhouse or rowhouse, and pay monthly rent.
See the apartment option above.
I live in a townhouse or rowhouse, and own my residence.
A hardwired or wireless system can be your best option in this case. In many cases, a hybrid system would be appropriate as well (see above definitions), should you wish to add contacts to any of the second floor windows or wireless panic button. The good thing about this situation is that there are few entry points for potential intruders. You should try to buy your system outright in this case.
See the apartment option above.
I live in a townhouse or rowhouse, and own my residence.
A hardwired or wireless system can be your best option in this case. In many cases, a hybrid system would be appropriate as well (see above definitions), should you wish to add contacts to any of the second floor windows or wireless panic button. The good thing about this situation is that there are few entry points for potential intruders. You should try to buy your system outright in this case.
I live in a semi-detached (duplex) home, and pay rent.
See the apartment option above. Does your landlord live beside/above you? Try to convince him/her to buy a "partitioned" system (see definitions above) and split the monthly monitoring costs.
I live in a semi-detached (duplex) home, and own my residence.
See " I live in a townhouse or rowhouse, and own my residence" option above. Do you have tenants? Purchase an alarm system that can be partitioned, and split the monthly monitoring costs with your tenants!
See the apartment option above. Does your landlord live beside/above you? Try to convince him/her to buy a "partitioned" system (see definitions above) and split the monthly monitoring costs.
I live in a semi-detached (duplex) home, and own my residence.
See " I live in a townhouse or rowhouse, and own my residence" option above. Do you have tenants? Purchase an alarm system that can be partitioned, and split the monthly monitoring costs with your tenants!
I live in a one-level detached bungalow, and own my residence.
It is best to own your system in this case. Be sure to employ perimeter protection. Do you have a finished basement with plaster ceilings, or live in an older home with plaster walls? A wireless system will be neccessary, which can cost a bit more in the long run. Is your basement unfinished or have drop ceilings? A hard wired system is your best option. If your bungalow does not have a basement but rather a small attic, utilize this space to hard-wire as many security devices as possible. If it's impossible to hard wire all of your devices, a hybrid system may be necessary.
It is best to own your system in this case. Be sure to employ perimeter protection. Do you have a finished basement with plaster ceilings, or live in an older home with plaster walls? A wireless system will be neccessary, which can cost a bit more in the long run. Is your basement unfinished or have drop ceilings? A hard wired system is your best option. If your bungalow does not have a basement but rather a small attic, utilize this space to hard-wire as many security devices as possible. If it's impossible to hard wire all of your devices, a hybrid system may be necessary.
I live in a two-level detached home, less than 2000 sq.ft., and own my residence.
Same as detached bungalow above, and be sure to employ perimeter protection. Even if you have a completely unfinished basement, a hybrid system may be necessary if it's impossible for the technician to run wires to the second floor. If there are no accessible points of entry on
Same as detached bungalow above, and be sure to employ perimeter protection. Even if you have a completely unfinished basement, a hybrid system may be necessary if it's impossible for the technician to run wires to the second floor. If there are no accessible points of entry on
I live in a two-level detached home, more than 2000 sq.ft., and own my residence.
See "I live in a two-level detached home, less than 2000 sq.ft., and own my residence" above. You may wish to have a panel installed that can be partitioned and expanded.
See "I live in a two-level detached home, less than 2000 sq.ft., and own my residence" above. You may wish to have a panel installed that can be partitioned and expanded.
I own a vacation property or cottage.
(If the dwelling is only occupied about half the year, relatively isolated, and/or does not have phone service for certain portions of the year) Pick the option from above that is most similar to the layout/construction of your cottage or vacation home. Definitely include fire, temperature sensor (for northern climates), and/or flood water sensors to your alarm. Consider installing an outdoor siren with strobe light to further deter intruders. Also consider using cellular monitoring or radio monitoring if your phone line is not connected for the entire year. If your property is particularly isolated, cell or radio monitoring may not be available.
(If the dwelling is only occupied about half the year, relatively isolated, and/or does not have phone service for certain portions of the year) Pick the option from above that is most similar to the layout/construction of your cottage or vacation home. Definitely include fire, temperature sensor (for northern climates), and/or flood water sensors to your alarm. Consider installing an outdoor siren with strobe light to further deter intruders. Also consider using cellular monitoring or radio monitoring if your phone line is not connected for the entire year. If your property is particularly isolated, cell or radio monitoring may not be available.
Need more details? Visit the design a perimeter alarm pages for a step-by-step guide to designing a security system.
the second floor, and no devices are necessary, no wireless equipment should be required. If your home uses plaster walls and not drywall (which can be the case in some older houses), a completely wireless system will be necessary.
Choose The Option Below Which Best Describes Your Living Situation:
Now that you know what type of alarm system you need, learn how to design one here: Step by step guide to designing an alarm system.
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Choosing the alarm system that is best for you depends on many factors. What type of dwelling do you live in? Is the basement finished or unfinished? Do you own or rent? Is the dwelling a vacation property that is only occupied for 6 months of the year? Are you interested in fire and/or carbon monoxide protection in addition to security? The following section should give you a good idea of what you need based on these and other factors.
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Condos:
Apartments:
Townhouse Or Rowhouse:
Semi Detached aka Duplex:
One Level Detached Homes:
Two Level Homes
<2000 Sq.Ft:
<2000 Sq.Ft:
Two Level Homes
>2000 Sq.Ft:
>2000 Sq.Ft:
New Home Under Construction:
Since most builders will do the work for relatively low cost, it is in your best interest to pre-wire as many devices as possible. Assume you will have a): a motion sensor and/or wall-mounted glassbreak detector in every room; b): contacts on all doors and sliding windows; c): a smoke or heat detector on each floor; d): a keypad in the master bedroom; e): an indoor AND outdoor siren. If you're unsure about which devices you will need, see "Designing A Perimeter Alarm System" on this site. Or contact at least three alarm companies. They can provide you with quotes, free advice, and (most likely) a pre-wire service.
My home is under construction.
If your residence is under construction, now is the perfect opportunity to pre-wire your home for an alarm system! Many alarm companies offer discounts for homes that have been pre-wired. Pre-wiring also eliminates the necessity for wireless components in the future (a good thing, since hard wired devices are always more reliable and cost-effective than wireless). So even if you don't plan to install a security system right away, pre-wiring will save you trouble and money down the road if you eventually decide to go ahead with one.
If your residence is under construction, now is the perfect opportunity to pre-wire your home for an alarm system! Many alarm companies offer discounts for homes that have been pre-wired. Pre-wiring also eliminates the necessity for wireless components in the future (a good thing, since hard wired devices are always more reliable and cost-effective than wireless). So even if you don't plan to install a security system right away, pre-wiring will save you trouble and money down the road if you eventually decide to go ahead with one.
Vacation Homes:
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