Essential Guide to Home Security Cameras for Builders

As demand for smart security systems increases, make sure you include these devices

If you’re a builder, contractor, designer or otherwise involved in the home construction business, it’s crucial for you to include smart security in your houses. According to industry forecasts, demand for smart security devices in the U.S. is expected to increase by 10 percent every year through 2025, reaching $11 billion in revenue by then. Not having smart security in the homes you build could well cost you customers and money.

But if you don’t have experience designing and installing these systems, how do you know where to start? That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help contractors, designers and other building professionals choose the right security camera installation for your clients. Here are four basic camera types that are well suited to new homes in the Fort Lauderdale region of Florida.

SEE ALSO: Check out our photo gallery to see a sample of our past projects!

BULLET CAMERAS

Bullet cameras, commonly known as “lipstick cameras,” get their name from their skinny, cylindrical design. The electronics and camera components are all contained within the camera’s body, and many of them are only a few inches long. This small size makes bullet cameras well-suited for both indoor and outdoor use, as they can be easily hidden in out-of-the-way places.

The primary drawbacks of bullet cameras are their minimal mobility and limited field of view. Because most bullet cameras can’t be adjusted remotely, you’re only able to see what the camera is pointed at. Bullet cameras also have a narrow field of view, so you may need several cameras to get adequate coverage of a home.

DOME CAMERAS

Like bullet cameras, dome cameras also get their name from their distinctive shape. The lens, camera and housing are contained in a dome structure mounted on the ceiling. Dome cameras work well in both indoor and outdoor environments; if you’re concerned about vandalism, you can purchase models with protective casings for additional durability.

Because it’s difficult to see from a distance where dome cameras are pointed, they’re particularly useful as outdoor security deterrents. Dome cameras also have a wider viewing angle than bullet cameras, so you can see more of what’s happening from one device.

PAN-TILT-ZOOM CAMERAS

What separates pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras from other models are their wide range of movement and the ability to control the camera’s movements remotely. Specifically, let you can remotely move the lens horizontally (pan), vertically (tilt) and zoom in or out for greater detail.

PTZ cameras are more expensive than other surveillance cameras, but you get a lot for that extra expense. PTZ cameras aren’t fixed to a single viewpoint, so you can program them to sweep back and forth to give you broader coverage around a home. Many PTZ cameras come with autofocus as well, so they’ll zoom in when someone is detected. PTZ cameras can also be set to send out a notification when they detect someone in their field of view.

WIRELESS IP CAMERAS

If you need a small, discreet camera in a spot where wiring may be hard to install, a wireless IP camera may do the trick. Wireless IP cameras transmit data over a home’s Wi-Fi network, creating an easy-to-access feed from anywhere. Depending on the model you choose, many wireless IP cameras are equipped with tilt and swivel capabilities, motion detection or a night vision mode.

It’s important to remember that not all wireless IP cameras are truly “wireless.” Even if the cameras transmit data wirelessly, they may still need a power cord. For a genuinely wireless option, look for battery operated IP cameras.

We’re fully prepared to bring the latest and most robust security solutions to your next building project. To find out more about our security camera installations, call us at (954) 650-3074 or fill out our online contact sheet.