DIY Alarm System - Suggestions

[Samcat]

Following a break-in at home (I know; gate horse bolted) I'm looking to install a simple alarm system.

I need two zones, one for the integral garage (where the break-in occured) and one for the open plan downstairs living area.

I don't really need a monitored system, just something that would act as a visual deterrant; an Alarm Box with flashing LED, and a siren that would alert us and scare-off any intruder.

The intruders disturbed us when thay opened the garage door, so since the break-in I've found myself listening to all sorts on noises in the night (central heating, boiler etc.) I want someting to go off if they get in again so I can ignore all the the other noises and get some sleep!

Has anyone intalled such a system they would be willing to recommend? I would prefer a wireless system for ease of intallation.

Since the break-in all the house locks have been upgraded, and the car is now parked in front of the garage door, but I need a bit of peace of mind.

[Podie]

Any serious burglar will KNOW that it's a cheapo system.

Give a few alarm companies a call (make sure they're NACOSS Gold) and get a few quotes - you might be surprised how cheap they actually are.

[andy43]

ADT seem to use Honeywell for their wireless systems - so that would point to Honeywell stuff being half decent.
I've always DIY'd Texecom wired systems with no problems.
To be honest, fitting a wireless system is probably dead easy, so unless you need a properly installed pro system for your house insurance or for 24-7 monitoring purposes, I'd just DIY.

[dazwalsh]

We use a fairly simple system for protecting our rentals. Basically the downstairs is covered by PIR's with the front door/ hallway one allowing 10 seconds to disable the alarm via code, the PIR's to the lounge and kitchen that covers the windows and doors to rear will go off instantly if anyone comes in through rear of house. we pay an electrician £250 for this install per property

You could have something similiar with a PIR in garage that if the alarm is set inside the house and the gargage door is opened then it will go off instantly.

We use a bell box which has a knight rider flashing light type thing going on when set. Strong white strobe if alarm is activated.

Best protection at the moment is getting rid of the ridiculous standard barrel locks found in a lot of UPVC doors and fitting the anti snap anti drill ones.

Most theives in urban areas are oppurtunists these days, seeking easy entry rather than smashing windows or doors to get in.

As an extra option my old neighbour secured his garage door by installing an anchor point in the ground infront of the door then padlocking the door to that on a night. Only way through would be sledgehammering it to bits.

[zasker]

I've got a Wireless Yale one I bought from screwfix. I appreciate that it is likely to be easy to overcome but is more as a deterant than anything else.

Comes with one alarm/strobe box and one dummy box. It then has two PIR's of which I use one in the garage and two door/window contacts. Have bought extra contacts to cover all of the doors and windows. Haven't used the second PIR yet as the dog roams the house all day so don't want her setting it of continually. Simple to fit, easily expandable and can call up to three numbers if triggered.

[Chrisgr31]

I installed a Yale Wireless system in my old house. Easy to install and didn't appear to false alarm either. I installed it as a was a potential witness in a breaking and entering trial and was away for 4 weeks during the time the trial was likely to be held, so the Police suggested I got a system as a deterrent.

Wasn't burgled so it was 100% effective

[Timmy35]

I can highly recommend geese as excellent burglar alarms, also usefully they can be eaten, less usefully they do tend to sh*t all over the drive. But then again it's nice to know would-be burlagrs are going home with sh*tty shoes and no loot.