Choosing a home security system can feel more complicated than it needs to be. Cameras, door sensors, smart locks, video doorbells, monitoring and home automation can all be part of a modern system, but not every home needs the same combination of equipment.
The best home security system is one designed around your property, the areas you want to protect and how you want to use the technology every day.
If you’re considering a new security system for your Louisville-area home, here are some of the most important things to evaluate before deciding what to install.
What Should a Modern Home Security System Include?
A home security system can include much more than a traditional burglar alarm.
Today’s systems can bring several layers of protection together, allowing homeowners to monitor entrances, receive alerts, view cameras and manage compatible smart-home devices from one place.
Common components include security cameras, door and window sensors, glass-break detection, motion sensors, video doorbells, smart locks and professional monitoring.
Laswell’s current residential security systems can also integrate these technologies through a centralized system and mobile app.
The important question isn’t necessarily how many devices you can install. It’s which devices make sense for your home.
Start With Your Home’s Entry Points
Before choosing equipment, think about how someone normally enters your home.
Front doors are important, but they aren’t the only areas to consider. Side doors, basement entrances, attached garages, patio doors and accessible windows can all be part of your security plan.
Door and window sensors can let your system know when an entry point opens. Glass-break detectors can provide another layer of detection around vulnerable windows, while motion sensors can help identify activity after someone has entered an area.
A professional security assessment should look at the layout of the entire property rather than simply placing the same equipment in every home.
Determine Where Security Cameras Would Be Most Useful
Security cameras are one of the most requested home security upgrades, but camera placement matters just as much as camera quality.
Think about the areas you would want to see if something happened while you were home or away. These frequently include the driveway, front entrance, garage, rear entrance and other approaches to the property.
Good camera placement should minimize blind spots while providing useful views of the areas that matter most.
Laswell currently offers features such as 4K cameras, person and vehicle detection, night viewing, local recording and remote access. Laswell also emphasizes hardwired camera installations rather than relying exclusively on Wi-Fi-connected cameras.
For homeowners comparing systems, that makes camera resolution, nighttime performance, recording method and connection reliability important questions to ask.
Decide Whether You Want a Video Doorbell
For many homeowners, the front door is one of the most frequently monitored areas of the house.
A video doorbell allows you to see who is approaching or standing at your door and, depending on the system, communicate with visitors through two-way audio.
When connected to the rest of your security system, a video doorbell can become part of a broader view of activity around your property rather than functioning as a completely separate device.
That can be especially convenient when your cameras, doorbell and security alerts are available through the same app.
Consider Smart Locks and Keyless Entry
Another question to ask is how you want to manage access to your home.
A smart lock can eliminate the need to hide spare keys and allow homeowners to create individual or temporary access codes for family members, guests and service providers.
Compatible smart locks can also provide remote status information, notifications and integration with cameras, video doorbells and other security equipment.
Laswell currently installs smart locks with options including keypad entry, smartphone control, temporary guest access and smart-home integration.
For some homeowners, smart locks are primarily about convenience. For others, having greater visibility into who can access the home is an important part of the security system.
Think About Professional Monitoring
Another decision is whether you want your security system professionally monitored.
With a professionally monitored system, alarm events can be handled through a monitoring service rather than relying entirely on you seeing a notification on your phone.
This can be especially useful when you’re asleep, traveling, working or otherwise unable to immediately respond to an alert.
Laswell offers professional monitoring as an option with its residential security systems.
When comparing systems, ask what monitoring is available, what happens when an alarm is triggered and whether monitoring is optional or required.
Decide How Much Smart Home Integration You Want
Home security and home automation increasingly overlap.
A security system may be able to work alongside smart locks, lighting, thermostats, garage controls and other connected devices.
For example, you may want to check whether the doors are locked while you’re away, control lights remotely or create automated routines for certain times of day.
Laswell’s home automation systems can integrate smart lighting, locks, garage controls, thermostats and other connected devices into a centralized system.
You don’t necessarily need to automate everything at once. A well-designed system can start with the features that are most important to you and leave room to expand later.
Consider Your Home Network
Modern security systems increasingly rely on your home’s network for app access, connected devices and other smart-home functions.
If your home has weak Wi-Fi coverage, dead zones or unreliable connectivity, that can affect how well some connected technology performs.
For homes with extensive cameras, automation and other connected devices, it may be worth evaluating the home network at the same time as the security system.
Laswell also provides home networking and Wi-Fi installation, including whole-home Wi-Fi, mesh networking, hardwired Cat6/Cat6A connections and access points.
Professional Installation vs. DIY Home Security
DIY security systems can be appealing because they allow homeowners to purchase equipment and install it themselves. For a smaller home or a very basic setup, that may be enough.
Professional installation becomes more valuable when the system includes multiple cameras, hardwired equipment, integrated smart-home devices or a property where camera positioning and coverage require more planning.
A professional installer can evaluate camera views, entry points, wiring, network requirements and how the different components should work together.
The question isn’t simply whether you can install a system yourself. It’s whether the finished system will provide the coverage, reliability and ease of use you expect.
Questions to Ask Before Choosing a Home Security System
Before making a decision, Louisville homeowners should consider these questions:
- Which entrances and areas of my property need protection?
- Where would cameras provide the most useful coverage?
- Are there camera blind spots around my home?
- Do I want professional monitoring?
- Do I want to control the system remotely from my phone?
- Would smart locks or a video doorbell be useful?
- Do I want security to integrate with lighting, garage controls or other smart-home features?
- Is my current home network reliable enough for my connected devices?
- Can the system expand if my needs change?
- Who will I contact locally if I need service or support?
Those questions are much more useful than simply comparing the number of devices included in different packages.
Why Choosing a Local Security Company Matters
Home security isn’t a one-size-fits-all service.
Working with a local company means the person designing the system can evaluate your actual property and recommend equipment based on your home’s entrances, camera views, layout and priorities.
It also gives you a local point of contact if you want to expand the system, add cameras or automation, or need service in the future.
Laswell is based in Louisville and provides home security and smart-home solutions throughout Louisville, surrounding Kentucky communities and Southern Indiana.
Home Security System FAQs
What should I look for in a home security system?
Look for a system that provides appropriate coverage for your home’s entrances and exterior areas while also being easy for you to use. Depending on your needs, that may include cameras, door and window sensors, motion detection, glass-break sensors, smart locks, video doorbells and professional monitoring.
Is a wired or wireless home security system better?
There isn’t one answer for every home. Many modern systems use a combination of technologies. For example, cameras may be hardwired for greater reliability while other sensors communicate wirelessly. The best approach depends on your home’s construction, equipment and security needs.
How many security cameras does a house need?
There is no universal number. Camera placement should be based on the layout of the home, important entry points and potential blind spots. Strategic coverage is more important than simply installing as many cameras as possible.
Can security cameras and smart-home devices work together?
Yes. Compatible systems can integrate security cameras with devices such as smart locks, lighting and garage controls. Laswell’s current home security and automation offerings are designed around this type of connected system.
Can I add more security equipment later?
Many modern security systems can be expanded over time. If you expect your needs to change, ask whether additional cameras, locks, sensors or automation devices can be added without replacing the entire system.
Have Questions About Your Home Security?
From smart security cameras to professionally monitored systems, Laswell helps homeowners throughout Louisville and Southern Indiana find solutions that fit their needs.
