Pros & Cons of different types Burglar Alarm System

Burglar alarm systems – you won’t believe how many people in the UK live with the idea that there is zero chance of someone breaking into their home and think that an alarm system is an unnecessary investment. Needless to say, you can NEVER be sure that your property won’t become a victim of a burglary.

So, if you don’t fall into the category of people who think that their home doesn’t need to be protected and are looking for the best alarm system for your home – we’ve got you covered.

This article is perfect for anyone wondering:

Ready to learn more about the different sorts of house alarm systems?

Wired burglar alarms

Wired alarm systems are the nightmare of every burglar. Why? Well, this type of home security device is harder for the evil-doers to hack.

The system works in a very simple way – the alarm relies on electric sensors, which are connected to a central control panel that lets you decide which areas of your home you want to be protected.

Note that this type of alarm needs to be connected to a power source or to have a backup one, so your home can be protected even in the case of an outage.

The pros of having a wired burglar alarm

It is a lot harder to hack into;
The installation process is fast;
This device doesn’t require batteries;
Wired burglar alarms are easy to maintain.

The cons of having a wired burglar alarm

The system is quite bulky;
It is vulnerable to power outages;
The installation costs are very high;
You can’t change the system’s location.

Wireless burglar alarms

A wireless burglar alarm works in a similar fashion to the wired version, with the difference being that this type of device runs on batteries. A wireless alarm is generally a lot smaller than the wired option and is super easy to fit – some people even decide to install the device by themselves. In terms of price, the actual device is a bit more expensive than a wired one, but you get to save from installation costs.

The pros of having a wireless burglar alarm:

You can install it yourself;
It’s a lot smaller than a wired version;
You can move it around the property;
The system can be controlled and monitored remotely.

The cons of having a wireless burglar alarm

The device is expensive;
It’s vulnerable to hacking;
Wireless alarms are high maintenance;
It’s not suitable for smaller properties.

Dialler burglar alarms

Dialler burglar alarm security systems are pretty cool – they let you program between 3 and 10 phone numbers of family members and/or friends and alerts them when someone tries to enter your home. Some types of dialler alarms even have specific options that alert the people in the contact list for potential fire and flood hazards in the property. This burglar alarm option is preferred by many homeowners, who spend a lot of time away from their homes.

The pros of having a dialler burglar alarm:

You don’t need to pay for a monitoring service;
The system comes with a range of upgrades, including a speech dialler;
Dialler burglar alarms are relatively cheap to run;
The option is budget-friendly.

The cons of having a wireless dialler alarm

There is the chance that the programmed contacts are unavailable;
If you upgrade the system with a speech dialler, you need to have a landline;
If you opt for a GSM (smart dialler) system, a weak signal may cause issues.

Fake burglar alarm

A fake burglar alarm is exactly what you think – an authentic-looking but dummy alarm box created to fool the intruders.

But is this a real deterrent? Not always. The only thing that a dummy alarm box does is blinking bright red light indicating that the alarm is active. For most of us, the difference between a real and a fake burglar alarm is vague. But the professional burglars can quickly determine whether or not this alarm is real if they notice low-quality materials, an awkward location, fake marking, and more.

A dummy alarm bell box isn’t functional and provides a false sense of security. Before sacrificing your pеаce of mind, think about a real and affordable alternative, which is a sound investment in your security. Next, before shopping, consider the best features and main limitations of modern security systems to ensure your overall personal safety.

The pros of having a dummy burglar alarm:

Highly realistic look;
Affordable deterrent for those who cannot afford a real security system;
Quick and easy set-up;
Little to zero-maintenance efforts
(*the only chore is changing your batteries every few months)

The cons of having a dummy alarm

Useless if somebody breaks in;
You can’t fool the well-trained eye of the ill-wishers;
A fake security system poses more risks than benefits.

Bells-only (audible-only) burglar alarm

Bells-only burglar alarm – as it’s more audible-only referred to – is a machine that makes a very loud sound, meant to scare robbers.

Unlike fake alarms, bells-only alarms do more than provide peace of mind or a sense of comfort. Prominently displayed at the exterior of your home, these intruder alarms can deter a home invasion and reduce your home insurance premium by up to 10%. And in the unfortunate situation of a burglary, you can claim the insurance costs and repair a part of everything that has been destroyed or damaged by the offenders.

The pros of having a bells-only burglar alarm:

Affordable, no monthly fees for monitoring service;
You might be rewarded with a better insurance premium;
DIY-friendly installation;
A loud siren makes your neighbors aware of an intrusion;
When a siren goes off, burglars tend to think twice.
May be used in evidence-based prosecution if combined with a CCTV installation.

The cons of having a bells-only alarm

Some people find bells-only syren annoying and loud;
No option to contact any nominated persons;
When nobody’s home, you won’t be alerted remotely if the siren goes off;
These alarms can deter crime but can’t stop it;
Screwed burglars can silence the siren;
The system may bleep unnecessarily even if no intruder is entering your home.

Pet-friendly burglar alarm

So often, homeowners struggle to install a home alarm system because their roaming-around pet buddy may trigger false-beeping alarms. More than just an annoying siren, a pet-triggered warning can cause panic, and even worse – fees for the unnecessary police response.

Don’t blame your pet. Instead of adapting your lifestyle to the alarm system, get a burglary alarm with pet-immune functions. This will be a powerful security shift in favor of your cat/dog and home.

Thankfully, modern pet-friendly alarms are multi-facet. Besides the standard control panel, they include a pet-tolerant mechanism – passive infra-red motion sensors (PIRs), to be exact. Geared up with a PIR motion detector, your security alarm disregards the little animal’s weight, thus preventing fake signals. And all you have to do is to adjust the pet immunity features depending on your cat or dog weight.

The added bonus? If you miss your little buddy while you are away, you can get an alarm model allowing you to watch and talk to her (or him) through your mobile device, anywhere and anytime.

Besides the motion sensors, you can also employ some type of protective barrier window furniture, such as ventilation locks, window sash stops, or other window restrictors. The latter is an affordable option to pet-proof your home and also keep it protected with open windows at night.

The pros of having a pet-friendly burglar alarm:

Pet sensitivity settings ignoring your pet movements;
Acts perfectly even when thieves crawl (human bodies give off infrared radiation, detectable by the in-built IR sensors);
Not expensive compared to the traditional alarm systems.

The cons of having a pet-friendly burglar alarm:

Wireless motion sensor burglar alarms are battery-based and need periodic maintenance;
Big dogs could be a culprit for false alarms;
Jumping pets and claws sharpening on the windows can trigger a false alarm.

AYS System is a burglar alarm company in Harrow, London that specializes in an affordable best burglar alarm system. We design and install security systems with a wide range of features, and we can advise you on your options for features like smart locks, smart thermostats, and doorbell cameras.