Whether you’ve just moved or you’re looking to make some improvements to your home, one of the best things you can do is invest in an alarm system. Regardless of how safe your neighborhood is, burglar alarms are worthy investments that safeguard your family and your possessions. In today’s market, there are different types available and if you’re having trouble picking among them, here are a few key factors to consider.

What to Consider When Picking a Burglar Alarm

1. Ease of Installation

If immediacy is important to you, it’s better to choose a wireless system. Many of them can be set up within a few hours, without any need for professional assistance. Because they’re wireless, they’re also great for apartments where you can’t drill into the walls.

2. Monitoring or Sound-Only

The most basic alarms are sound-only. This is fine if you’re in a neighborhood where someone can call the police on your behalf but if you’d like to be notified, you’ll need a monitored system. With this kind of system, any time an alarm goes off, the home security company will be alerted and they’ll contact you or the authorities.

3. Budget

Between wired and wireless systems, the former will generally cost more since they’ll need to be installed by a professional. As for monitored and sound-only burglar alarms, monitored systems are more expensive since they come with monthly or annual fees.

4. Coverage

The number of windows and entry doors you have will impact how much equipment you need and ultimately, how much it will all cost. If you have an apartment, it will be much easier to find a package with enough sensors, but if you have a multi-story house with numerous windows and points of entry, be prepared for additional costs.

5. Upgradeability

Even if you’ve decided on an alarm that fits your basic needs now, consider whether you’ll need upgrade later. Do you plan to expand your family or make renovations? Wireless systems are easier to swap out but companies that specialize in wired, monitored systems often offer upgrades to their long-time customers.

For anyone in the Clintonville, WI, area shopping for a burglar alarm, the team at Federal Security can help. Locally owned and operated, they’ve been trusted throughout the community for the past 35 years. Quick and efficient, they’ll have you set up in no time. If you're interested in going beyond basic burglar alarms, they can also install a full home security system complete with security cameras. To learn more about this option, consider this online list of benefits.