CCTV Installation Guide
Security Camera Placement Guide: Where to Position CCTV for Maximum Protection
Strategic camera placement is 80% of effective security. Learn exactly where to position cameras for optimal coverage, facial recognition, and evidence quality.
Published August 18, 2025 • 10 min read
The most expensive 4K CCTV system is worthless if cameras are poorly positioned. Professional camera placement maximizes coverage, captures clear facial images, and eliminates blind spots where intruders can hide. This guide reveals exactly where Perth security experts position cameras for residential and commercial properties.
🎯 Golden Rules of Camera Placement
- Front door: Capture every visitor's face (70% of burglars enter through front/back doors)
- 3-4 meter height: Optimal for facial recognition while preventing tampering
- Overlapping coverage: Each camera's edge should overlap with another (no blind spots)
- Backlit awareness: Never point cameras directly at sun/bright lights (obscures faces)
- Entry choke points: Narrow pathways where intruders must pass close to camera
Priority Camera Locations (Install These First)
1. Front Door Camera (HIGHEST PRIORITY)
Why it's critical:
- 93% of visitors approach front door (deliveries, guests, burglars casing property)
- Captures clear facial images of everyone who approaches
- Deters package theft (Amazon, Australia Post deliveries)
- Documents suspicious door-knocking (burglars test if anyone's home)
Optimal positioning:
- Height: 2.5-3 meters (captures faces without extreme downward angle)
- Distance: 2-4 meters from door (facial detail + context view)
- Angle: Slightly downward (15-20°) to capture faces under hats/hoods
- Side mounting: Mount to side of door (not directly above—obscures faces)
- Field of view: 80-90° lens captures full porch area
Perth tip:
If your front door faces west (afternoon sun), use a camera with Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) or install it under eave for shade. Direct sun glare at 3-5pm makes faces unrecognizable.
2. Back Door / Rear Access Camera
Why it's critical:
- 34% of burglars enter through back doors (2nd most common entry point)
- Back areas have less visibility from street (burglars prefer privacy)
- Often access point for: tools, bikes, BBQs, outdoor equipment theft
- Captures intruders who jump side fences
Optimal positioning:
- Height: 3-3.5 meters (higher than front—more tampering risk in private areas)
- Coverage: Capture entire back door and 3-5 meters of backyard approach
- Corner mounting: Position in corner for widest backyard coverage
- Night vision essential: Backyards are dark—ensure IR illumination reaches 10-15 meters
- Weatherproofing: IP66+ rating (exposed to rain, sprinklers)
Perth backyard tip: If you have a pool, position camera to capture gate entry and pool area (drowning liability, trespassers, pool equipment theft).
3. Driveway / Street View Camera
Why it's critical:
- Captures vehicle license plates (getaway cars, suspicious vehicles)
- Records people approaching property (burglar casing patterns)
- Documents parking disputes, hit-and-runs, neighbor issues
- Monitors package deliveries left in driveway
Optimal positioning:
- Height: 3-4 meters (captures vehicles and pedestrians)
- Angle toward street: Position to capture approaching vehicles/people
- License plate capture: If LPR priority, use 60° narrow lens pointed at driveway entry
- Dual cameras ideal: One wide-angle (context), one zoomed (license plates)
- Lighting consideration: Headlights at night can blind cameras—angle slightly off-axis
License plate tip: Standard cameras capture plates during day. For nighttime LPR, use dedicated LPR cameras with specialized IR illumination (costs $400-800 extra but worth it for vehicle identification).
4. Side Gates / Pathway Cameras
Why it's critical:
- 22% of burglars enter via side access (fences, gates, pathways)
- Narrow pathways = perfect choke points for facial capture
- Side areas often invisible from street and neighbors
- Common path for air conditioner, meter box, gas bottle theft
Optimal positioning:
- Height: 2.8-3.5 meters (capture faces in narrow space)
- Funnel positioning: Mount at narrow end of pathway (intruders walk toward camera)
- Overlap with back camera: Capture intruders at gate AND as they enter backyard
- Motion detection zones: Set detection zone on pathway (ignore street traffic)
Common mistake: Don't mount at wide end of pathway—faces will be too far away. Position at gate entry for close-up facial capture as they enter.
Secondary Camera Locations (Enhanced Coverage)
5. Garage & Vehicle Storage
- Internal garage camera: Captures tools, bikes, stored valuables (common theft targets)
- Garage door camera: Records who opens garage (family, tradespeople, intruders)
- Carport coverage: Wide-angle camera covering entire carport and vehicle access
- Position tip: Corner mount for maximum coverage, 3-4 meter height
6. Backyard / Outdoor Living Areas
- Patio/alfresco camera: Monitors outdoor furniture, BBQ equipment, pool pumps
- Shed camera: Tools and lawn equipment are high-theft items
- Pool gate camera: Safety monitoring + trespasser detection
- Fence line cameras: For large properties, monitor perimeter fence (solar cameras work well)
7. Internal Cameras (Optional but Valuable)
- Main hallway: Captures intruders inside home (if perimeter breached)
- Living room: Monitors valuables (TV, electronics) + provides evidence of theft
- Staircase (two-story homes): Captures anyone moving between floors
- Nanny cam / pet monitoring: Childcare, elderly parent care, pet behavior
- Privacy consideration: Avoid bedrooms, bathrooms (illegal in some situations)
Camera Mounting Height & Angle Guide
| Camera Purpose | Mounting Height | Angle | Lens/FOV |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facial Recognition (doors) | 2.5-3 meters | 15-20° downward | 80-90° (2.8-4mm) |
| License Plate (LPR) | 3-4 meters | 5-10° downward | 30-45° (6-12mm) |
| Wide Area Overview | 3.5-5 meters | 25-35° downward | 100-110° (2.8mm) |
| Pathway / Choke Point | 2.8-3.5 meters | 10-20° downward | 60-80° (4-6mm) |
| Perimeter / Long Distance | 4-6 meters | 0-15° (nearly level) | 30-60° (8-16mm) |
❌ Camera Placement Mistakes to Avoid
- Too high (5+ meters): Captures tops of heads, not faces
- Too low (under 2.5m): Easy to tamper, vandalize, spray paint, reposition
- Pointing at bright lights: Headlights, sun, streetlights = washed out footage
- Behind glass windows: Reflections, IR bounce-back, glare ruin image quality
- No overlap: Blind spots between cameras where intruders avoid detection
Coverage Patterns: How Many Cameras Do You Need?
Small Home / Unit
4-6 cameras
- ✓ Front door
- ✓ Back door
- ✓ Driveway
- ✓ Side access (if applicable)
- ✓ 1-2 optional internal
Standard Family Home
6-10 cameras
- ✓ Front door
- ✓ Back door
- ✓ Driveway + street view
- ✓ Both side accesses
- ✓ Garage / carport
- ✓ Backyard / patio
- ✓ 2-3 internal
Large Property / Acreage
12-20+ cameras
- ✓ All standard locations
- ✓ Multiple driveway angles
- ✓ Perimeter fence line
- ✓ Outbuildings / sheds
- ✓ Gate entries
- ✓ Long driveway coverage
- ✓ Solar cameras for remote areas
Perth-Specific Placement Considerations
Sun & Glare Management (Perth's Harsh Light)
- West-facing cameras: Afternoon sun (3-6pm) causes extreme glare—use WDR cameras or mount under eaves
- East-facing cameras: Morning sun issues—position slightly off-axis to avoid direct sun
- North-facing ideal: Consistent lighting throughout day (sun passes overhead)
- South-facing caution: Can be shadowed—ensure cameras have good low-light performance
Heat & Weather Protection
- Operating temperature: Ensure cameras rated for 50°C+ (Perth regularly exceeds 40°C)
- Coastal suburbs: IP66+ weatherproofing + corrosion-resistant housing (salt air damage)
- Eave mounting: Provides shade and rain protection (extends camera lifespan)
- Winter storms: Secure mounting with stainless steel brackets (strong winds)
Privacy & Neighbor Considerations
- Legal requirement: Cameras must NOT record inside neighbor's property (windows, backyards)
- Angle verification: Check camera view doesn't capture neighbor's private areas
- Privacy masks: Use camera software to block out neighbor's property from recording
- Communication: Inform neighbors about cameras (reduces complaints, builds cooperation)
Commercial Property Camera Placement
Retail Stores
- Entry/exit cameras: Facial capture of every customer (shoplifting identification)
- POS cameras: Monitor registers, cash handling, employee theft
- High-theft areas: Electronics, cosmetics, liquor aisles
- Changing rooms: External entry only (NOT inside rooms—illegal)
- Loading dock: Delivery verification, inventory control
- Parking lot: Customer safety, vehicle damage disputes
Offices
- Reception area: Visitor identification and logging
- Server rooms: Monitor access to sensitive IT equipment
- Secure document areas: Confidential file storage
- Emergency exits: Prevent unauthorized exit (after-hours access)
- Car park: Employee vehicle safety
Warehouses
- Loading docks: Wide-angle coverage of all truck bays
- Inventory aisles: Prevent internal theft, inventory verification
- Forklift areas: Safety monitoring, accident documentation
- Perimeter fence: After-hours intrusion detection
- Entrance gates: Vehicle and personnel access control
Testing & Verifying Camera Placement
Professional Installation Checklist
- Test during day AND night: Verify facial clarity in all lighting conditions
- Walk through coverage areas: Ensure no blind spots between cameras
- Verify tamper protection: Confirm cameras are out of reach from ground level
- Check privacy compliance: Ensure no recording of neighbor properties
- Motion detection zones: Configure zones to avoid trees, traffic (reduce false alerts)
- Recording quality check: Playback footage to verify 4K/resolution settings active
Get Professional Camera Placement Assessment
Great White Security provides free on-site camera placement consultations for Perth properties. Our technicians identify optimal positions, eliminate blind spots, and design coverage that maximizes your security investment.
✓ Free consultation ✓ Custom coverage design ✓ Blind spot analysis ✓ Professional installation ✓ Perth-wide service