Where to Put Security Cameras Around Your Home (and Where Not To)

Great cameras in the wrong places are nearly useless. The most common problem we see isn't poor video quality; it's cameras that watch the lawn while someone walks in through the side gate. Placement is where planning pays off.

The priority locations

1. Front door

Most visitors, deliveries, and unfortunately many break-ins start at the front door. Aim for a clear, face-level view of anyone approaching. A doorbell camera, a turret camera under the porch roof, or both work well.

2. Driveway and garage

The driveway shows vehicles coming and going and covers the garage door, which is a common target. A camera mounted at the corner of the garage or under the eaves can see the whole driveway. Pair it with vehicle detection so you're alerted when a car pulls in overnight.

3. Back door and patio doors

Back and patio doors are out of view from the street, which makes them attractive to intruders. Cover them clearly.

4. Side gates and pathways

People who don't want to be seen often go around the side of a house. A camera covering the side gate catches anyone heading to the backyard.

5. Backyard

A wide-angle or 360° panoramic camera can cover a whole yard, including sheds and detached garages.

6. Inside the garage

If you store bikes, tools, or a second vehicle in the garage, an interior camera watching the door and side entry adds protection.

Height and angle

• Mount cameras around two to three metres high. High enough to discourage tampering, low enough to capture faces.
• Angle down slightly, not straight down. Top-of-head shots don't identify anyone.
• Frame entry points closely. A camera that sees the whole yard might show someone is there; a camera focused on the gate shows who they are.
• Overlap coverage so one camera can see another.

Lighting and night vision

• Avoid pointing cameras directly at bright lights, including porch lights and street lamps, which cause glare.
• Watch for low sun in the morning or evening shining straight into a lens.
• Consider colour night-vision cameras or motion-activated lighting for better night footage.
• Clean lenses and remove cobwebs; spiders love the warm infrared lights.

Winter and weather

Durham Region winters bring snow, ice, and road salt. Mount outdoor cameras under eaves or soffits where possible, use weather-rated cameras and junction boxes, and make sure cable entry points are sealed.

Placement mistakes to avoid

• Only covering the front. Most homes need side and back coverage too.
• Mounting too high, so faces aren't identifiable.
• Wide shots only, with no close views of entry points.
• Pointing at the neighbour's property. Aim at your own; use privacy masking (blacking out part of the camera's view) if it unavoidably includes a neighbour's window.
• Relying on Wi-Fi at the far corner of a brick house. See PoE vs Wi-Fi.
• Leaving the recorder in plain sight. Hide the NVR in a closet or basement.

A sample layout for a typical home

For a detached two-storey house with an attached garage, a solid starting layout is:

1. Doorbell camera at the front door
2. Turret camera at the garage corner covering the driveway and front walk
3. Camera covering the side gate
4. Camera covering the back door and patio
5. Wide-angle or 360° camera covering the backyard
6. Optional camera inside the garage

Get a placement plan

On a site visit for our security camera installation service, we walk the property with you, check sight lines and lighting, and recommend a layout that covers what matters. For the bigger picture, read planning a home security camera system.

Frequently asked questions