Category Archives: Home Security

Smart DIY Home Security Systems

If you’re looking to safeguard your home, then you will find many excellent and affordable smart diy home security systems currently on the market. In this article we have put together some of the best diy home security systems for your review.

If you want to protect your home, but you’re not interested in getting a hard-wired security system installed. Well then there’s never been a better time to invest in one of these smart diy home security systems. The market is filled with kits that consist of simple hubs and a combination of wireless sensors and cameras that you can easily install without worrying about running cables or ruining drywall.

These diy home security kits are typically (but not always) more affordable than a professional installation, while still giving you the necessary devices to protect any home. Plus, there are no long-term contracts to worry about. If you’ve been feeling that security around your home is a little lacking, these kits make the perfect starting place. Here’s a list of some of our favorites. And if you’re uncertain whether you want to do it yourself or have one installed for you, we also have a list of the best home security systems, which is a combination of professionally installed and smart diy home security systems to help you.

Easy Installation Smart DIY Home Security Systems

Smart DIY Home Security Systems

Top 6 Smart DIY Home Security Systems

#1 Simplisafe
SimpliSafe is one of the smart diy home security systems with a brand new (and much better) look and better functionality, including dual cellular and Wi-Fi connections, so the system won’t be disrupted by a power outage. The Knox is an excellent choice for larger homes where you already know you’ll need more than one or two sensors for full protection.

It comes with a base station and separate keypad, a key fob, six door sensors, two motion sensors, a siren, and a smoke detector, all in one package. Professional, no-contract monitoring is available for $15 per month, and you can add extra devices like outdoor cameras, smart locks, and more. It’s an excellent diy home security system if you want to start off big.

#2 Nest Secure
Nest Secure is the best example of what a home security starter kit should be: Simple, easy to understand, and unobtrusive while it’s working—but with plenty of options for expansion or additional features. The kit comes with the Guard hub, a round device with a number pad that tracks all the other sensors, but also incorporates a siren and motion sensor of its own. You also get two Detect motion sensors to set up where you please around the house, and two Tag key fobs that will let you pass through them. You can disarm the detectors with a code, or simply choose a silent mode to avoid triggering the alarm when necessary.

It’s one of the more expensive smart diy home security systems for three motion detectors and no cam, but Nest’s devices are state of the art, responsive, and minimalistic, so you really get what you pay for. You can add indoor or outdoor cams, video doorbells, and additional motion detectors whenever you want to expand the system. You can also arrange for mobile notification and enable professional monitoring via Brinks Home if you prefer.

#3 Abode
Abode is much like the Nest Secure. Abode’s starter kit includes a Gateway that acts as a hub (although the excellent app also allows for full control), a door / window sensor, a general motion sensor, and a key fob for access. Where Abode differs is in compatibility: While Nest Secure is designed to only work with a few Nest devices, Abode offers compatibility with Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Wi-Fi technologies, allowing for many different third-party integrations, including devices that you may already own.

Add in the many different sensor options you can buy from Abode, and this one of the best smart diy home security systems around for expansions or integrating with older devices. It’s also compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant for voice commands.

#4 Ring
Ring security kits combine a few more traditional elements of diy home security systems with a newer approach that works well if you are comfortable with a classic setup. The kit comes with a base station, a separate keypad to install on the wall, a contact sensor, a motion detector, and range extender (plus compatibility with all other Ring products, specifically their video doorbells and security cameras).

That’s an excellent array of products for a great price, and they are easy to set up and understand even if your experience with home security systems is limited. The keypad allows you to switch between Away, Home, and Disarmed modes, like traditional systems, but with useful features like programmable delays for arming, and push notifications for your phone app.

Ring also offers 24/7 professional monitoring and video recording for a fee, with no cancellation fees if you decide to go back to a simpler setup.

#5 Samsung Smartthing
Let’s explain this kit’s origins: ADT partnered with Samsung to create one of the new smart diy home security systems that is compatible with Samsung SmartThing devices, but primarily focused on ADT’s fledgling DIY-friendly smart security devices. So, the kit is a good choice for those who appreciate the historic work that ADT has done in home security…and want ADT’s professional management services to supplement their diy home security approach.

The kit itself comes with a large touchscreen hub, a motion detector, and two sensors for your windows and doors. Make no mistake, ADT intends for this system to be paired with its professional monitoring, which means monthly fees—but there is a “no monitoring” option you can choose. However, the system really shines when you see how easily it can become a whole house smart platform. ADT has sensors to monitor everything from carbon monoxide to water leaks, and SmartThings has devices to manage lighting, thermostats, door locks, and more. The kit gives you a hub to control everything from…as long as you’re willing to stick with these brands.

#6 OOMA
Ooma has one of the smart diy home security systems that’s priced in a much more affordable range. The kit includes the Telo hub and a motion sensor—which may not seem like much, but it comes with a big bonus: You get free home monitoring for the sensor, with the added ability to route a 911 call through your home phone for assistance if something seems wrong (the sensor will push notifications to your phone if the alarm is set to off). Ooma does let you add door, motion, and leak sensors to the system as needed, but the kit itself is better suited for an apartment or smaller home.

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Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive home security design software. Cad Pro is great for designing DIY home projects, smart home appliances, technical drawings, electrical drawings, construction details, and much more. Anyone can start their new smart diy home security systems installation diagrams with CAD Pro.

CAD Pro allows anyone to share their ideas and plans with clients, colleagues or professional remodeling contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of window designs. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors.

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Voice Controlled Smart Locks

Lockly’s Secure Pro voice controlled smart locks are compatible with Alexa and Google. Lockly has added two new home security products to its existing lineup of home voice-controlled security products: an upgraded smart lock, the Lockly Secure Pro, and the Secure Link, a Wi-Fi enabled hub and wireless door sensor.

The Lockly Secure Pro features a number of integrated unlocking options, including voice control through a virtual assistant, newly added with the Secure Link and Secure Pro series. Using their voice or an associated app, users can lock, unlock and check the status of their doors through a connection with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant.

Voice Controlled Smart Locks and Voice-Controlled Security

Voice Controlled Smart Locks

Existing Options for Voice Controlled Smart Locks

PIN Genie Touchscreen: The patented PIN Genie keypad randomly generates a keypad order when anyone approaches the door. This ensures that codes cannot be accessed by anyone watching the user typing it in. This is a great feature for these voice controlled smart locks.

3D Fingerprint Scanner: A biometric module below the touchpad allows users to open the door using their finger.

Lockly App: The app allows users to connect to and control their voice controlled smart locks. The app can be used to generate offline access codes via Bluetooth without an internet connection and set activation periods for as little as a few minutes.

Key Lock: A traditional key lock is located inside a switch on the door handle or central panel.

The Secure Link, available packaged with the Secure Pro and as a separate accessory, enables Wi-Fi connectivity across all voice-controlled security product models, including the Secure and Secure Plus. This module enables virtual assistant connectivity, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity from anywhere in the world and real-time status updates.

“The availability of the Secure Pro and Secure Link is proof of our dedication to the development of new, innovative products in the world of home security and smart locks. We are excited to work with our national retail partners as we make Lockly products even more accessible to consumers seeking the most advanced smart lock solution for their home, office, or rental property,” says Lee Zheng, CEO and Founder of Lockly.

The voice controlled smart locks are available in Satin Nickel and Venetian Bronze finishes and deadbolt or latch hardware configurations. The lock operates on AA batteries, which last at least one year, supported by a backup battery. The Lockly Secure Pro starts at $299, and the Secure Link console starts at $79.99. The Lockly Secure Plus starts at $199.99. lockly.com

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Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive home security design software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating mechanical drawings, technical drawings, electrical drawings, construction details, and much more.

CAD Pro has helped thousands of homeowners, professional designers, builders and contractors plan and design all types of designs. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors.

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Proven Home Security Ideas

Is your home as safe as you think? We all like to adapt a “it won’t happen to me” mentality, but the reality isn’t always that secure and if you follow these safer home concepts, they will offer a great deal of peace of mind for you and your family. For instance, there are an average of 3.7 million burglaries each year according to the Bureau of Justice. This means home invasions and intrusions happen just about everywhere, no matter how safe you think your home is. Here are 6 great ideas for proven home security ideas that will you let go of some of that stress.

Proven Home Security Ideas

Proven Home Security Ideas and Apps

6 Proven Home Security Ideas

ONEUnderstand How Criminals Think
When considering safer home concepts, we all have a big misunderstanding of how criminals think and work. We can blame Hollywood for this. In the action movies criminals, all think and act a certain way. They’re always dressed in black, they look suspicious, and they act out their crimes under the cover of darkness.

Proven home security ideas have revealed that in reality, home invasions don’t always look like this. Criminals often dress in street clothes, sometimes even posing as service workers. They usually scope out the area of the crime before the actual invasion, and they almost always act during the daytime. That’s right, they invade homes in the daylight. Why’s this? Because they know most people are away during the day and there will be fewer people to spot them. With over 4,500 home burglaries a day in the United States, that’s a lot to keep an eye on.

TWO – Invest in an Alarm System
One of the best proven home security ideas is an alarm system, they are literal lifesavers. An alarm system shows criminals you take your safety seriously, and it will deter anyone who might be looking for an easy target. Even better, these systems have advanced features that help you monitor your home even when you’re away. This is a peace of mind we all need. Read this blog article from Alarm Grid for more information about alarm systems and how it will apply to safer home concepts.

THREE – Be Careful on Social Media
Social media is a great way to communicate with loved ones, but it can also be a dangerous place if you aren’t careful. Do you like to post when you’re on vacation or away from home? What about your new fancy purchases? Posting these things might seem like harmless fun, but you’re actually alerting criminals that your home is empty and that there are expensive belongings waiting to be grabbed.

FOUR – Light Your Home
One of the easiest of the proven home security ideas is lighting. Lighting will go a long way to protect your home. Not only should your home be well lit when you’re away and at night to alert criminals that you’re home, but you should also install lights in your yard. Why’s that? Once again, it comes down to making yourself a difficult target. If criminals can’t get close to your home without being spotted, they’ll move on.

FIVE – Watch Your Trash
Do you throw away boxes and other items without a second thought? You should probably take a closer look at your trash before you throw it away. When you throw away boxes for expensive devices or equipment, you’re letting criminals know there’s something in your home worth taking. Instead, destroy these boxes or take them directly to a recycling facility.

SIX – Talk to Your Neighbors
It’s easy to feel like you’re in this alone, but your neighbors probably have all the same fears you have about intruders. Talking to your neighbors and looking out for each other is the best of the proven home security ideas. It’s a great way to protect your own home and make your community a safer place.

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Final Thoughts for Safer Home Concepts

A small bit of know-how will go a long way to keeping your home and family safe. We would also like to suggest some of the top rated home security apps and products that are proven home security ideas for you and your family.

Safer Home Concepts

Safer Home Concepts and Apps

Popular Home Security Apps

Our team has put together some links of popular home security products for your review.

Design Your Own Home Security Plans

CAD Pro has helped thousands of real estate agents, remodeling professionals, builders and contractors plan and design all types of home design ideas and projects. CAD Pro is used by NARI professional remodelers and contractors. CAD Pro is also used by NHBA home builders and contractors.

CAD Pro allows you to share your ideas and plans with clients, colleagues or professional contractors using Dropbox®, Google Drive™, OneDrive®, and SharePoint®. Export files to Microsoft Word®, Excel®, and PowerPoint® with a single click.

Cad Pro is an affordable and easy alternative to other more expensive home design and remodeling software programs. Cad Pro is great for creating custom home plans, building plans, office plans, construction details, and much more.

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