Why Camera Placement Matters

Security cameras work best when they cover "chokepoints" where people must pass, instead of trying to watch every wall and room. Proper placement also helps avoid glare, motion blur, and false alerts from trees, roads, or busy sidewalks. A professional installer designs your layout around your home's entry points, yard layout, and the way you and your family use the space every day.

Best Outdoor Camera Locations

1. Front door and porch

Your front door is the most important place to install a security camera, because many break-ins happen through the main entrance or an unlocked front door. A camera mounted above or beside the door at an angle can clearly show faces while still covering packages, visitors, and potential intruders.

2. Driveway and vehicles

If you park in the driveway or have a detached garage, you should add a camera that watches vehicles and the approach to the house. A properly placed camera can see anyone walking up the driveway, checking car doors, or approaching the garage, even at night when motion lighting turns on.

3. Backyard, patio, and side gates

Backyards and side gates are common points of entry because they are more private and hidden from the street. A camera on the back wall, soffit, or detached garage can cover patio doors, sliding doors, sheds, and side gates, giving you a clear view of anyone entering from behind the house.

Best Indoor Camera Locations

1. Main entry and interior foyer

Placing a camera inside the front entry or main foyer helps capture clear images of anyone who makes it through the front door. Instead of aiming at every room, covering this central point ensures you see people coming and going, deliveries being brought inside, and kids arriving home.

2. Main hallway or central living area

Most homes have a hallway or open-concept space that connects bedrooms, living room, and kitchen. A single camera here can cover a large portion of the home with one clean angle. This is more efficient and less intrusive than placing cameras in private rooms like bedrooms.

3. Garage entry and basement stairs

If your garage is attached, a camera aimed at the door from the garage into the house is extremely valuable. Another good spot is at the top or bottom of basement stairs, especially if the basement contains storage, a home office, or a separate entrance.

Common Placement Mistakes to Avoid

Many DIY setups fail because cameras are mounted too high, too low, or too close to bright light sources such as windows and motion lights. Another common mistake is pointing outdoor cameras directly into neighbours' windows or yards, which creates privacy issues and unnecessary complaints. Avoid putting cameras where they stare at blank walls or sky, because that wastes resolution and reduces detail on faces and licence plates.

How a Professional Installer Designs Your Layout

A professional security installer walks your property, notes all doors, windows, and paths an intruder is likely to use, and then designs a layout that covers every key approach with the fewest cameras. The installer also chooses mounting points that keep cables hidden, protect cameras from weather, and provide a clean, finished look. This approach gives you clear evidence when something happens and makes managing your system simple from your phone or recorder.

Local Security Camera Installation in Windsor-Essex

Home layouts in Windsor, LaSalle, Tecumseh, Lakeshore, Leamington, and Kingsville vary a lot, from compact townhomes to large rural properties. A local installer who understands Windsor-Essex neighbourhoods, weather, and typical home designs can recommend the best camera positions for your specific property instead of guessing from a generic template.

Best Places to Install Security Cameras in a House (Installer Approved)