Ontario Home CCTV: How Many Cameras You Really Need (And Where To Put Them)
Planning a home CCTV setup can feel confusing. How many cameras is enough, where do you place them, and do you really need wires everywhere? This guide gives you a clear plan that works for Ontario homes, with practical tips on field of view, resolution, night vision, and heights. You will also see examples for bungalows, townhomes, semidetached, and detached homes, plus when to choose wired or wireless. If you want a doneforyou option, Eagle View can handle design, installation, 24/7 support, mobile app access, and a 3year warranty, so you get reliable coverage without guesswork.
How Many Cameras Do You Need?
Most Ontario homes are well covered with 3 to 6 cameras. Here is a quick planning baseline:
- Front door: 1 camera
- Driveway or front lot: 1 camera
- Side path or garden gate: 1 camera
- Back door or yard: 1 camera
- Interior choke point, like the main hallway or stairs: 1 camera, optional
- Extra blind spots, sheds, or laneways: 1 camera, optional
Start with the likely entry points, then add cameras where visibility is limited. The goal is clear views of faces and vehicles, not just general motion
Where To Place Cameras For Real Coverage
- Front door: Mount 2.1 to 2.7 metres high, off to the side to capture faces under hats or hoods, angled toward the approach. A doorbell cam can complement a wideangle front camera.
- Driveway: Mount 2.7 to 3.6 metres high on the garage or soffit, angled down to see plates as vehicles enter. Avoid pointing directly into the street headlights if possible.
- Side path or garden: Use a narrower lens to avoid neighbours’ property and focus on your walkway or gate.
- Back door and yard: Place a camera on the house facing the door, and if you have a deep yard, consider a second camera to cover sheds or laneways
- Interior choke point: A camera covering the main hall or stairs helps identify anyone who gets inside. Keep it high enough that it cannot be easily tampered with.
Tip, avoid aiming directly at bright windows at night, and keep cameras under eaves if possible to reduce glare and weather exposure.
Field of View, Resolution, Night Vision, and Height
- Field of view: Wider is not always better. Use a 2.8 mm lens for broad areas like the driveway, and a 4 mm or 6 mm lens for tighter spaces or to capture faces at the door. Wider lenses see more area but less detail at distance.
- Resolution: 4MP or 5MP is a strong balance of detail and storage. For long driveways or plate capture, 8MP can help, but only if the lens and angle are correct.
- Night vision: Choose cameras with strong IR or colour night vision. Look for lowlight performance specs and smart IR to avoid overexposed faces up close. If you have streetlights, colour night vision can provide better context.
- Placement height: Outdoors, aim for 2.7 to 3.6 metres where practical, tall enough to deter tampering but low enough for facial detail. Indoors, 2.4 to 2.7 metres is ideal for hallways and stairs.
Examples By Home Type
- Bungalow: 4 cameras, front door, driveway, side path, back door. Optional interior hallway camera if you want an extra layer.
- Townhome: 3 to 4 cameras, front door, driveway or front walkway, back door. Add one for a shared side lane if applicable.
- Semidetached: 4 to 5 cameras, front door, driveway, shared side path focused only on your portion, back door, optional interior choke point.
- Detached: 5 to 6 cameras, front door, driveway, side path, back door, yard or shed, interior choke point. Larger lots may benefit from an extra yard view.
These are starting points. The exact number depends on your layout, trees or fences, and any blind spots you care about.
Wired vs Wireless, What Is Better?
- Wired systems: Best for reliability and consistent video quality, especially in Canadian winters. Power over Ethernet, a single cable for power and data, keeps things tidy. If you are renovating or have attic or basement access, wired is the long term winner.
- Wireless systems: Useful where running cable is tough, like finished basements or detached garages. You still need power at each camera. Choose strong WiFi and consider pointtopoint bridges for long distances.
- Hybrid setups: Quite common, with wired for main entry points and a wireless addon for a shed or laneway. This balances cost and coverage.
Is CCTV hard to install, it depends on your comfort with cabling, ladders, and networking. Many homeowners handle a single doorbell cam, but for 4 to 6 cameras with a recorder, remote access, and clean soffit runs, professional installation saves time and avoids placement mistakes.
Do security cameras need WiFi, not always. Wired IP cameras can record to a local NVR without internet. You only need internet for remote viewing notifications or cloud backup.
Which Security Camera Is Best?
There is no single best camera, there is a best camera for each spot.
- Front door: A turret or bullet with a 4 mm lens for faces, plus a doorbell cam if you want two angles.
- Driveway: A 2.8 mm turret for wide coverage, or a varifocal model if you need tighter plate detail.
- Side path: 4 mm or 6 mm lens to avoid overreach and focus on your walkway.
- Back yard: A wide lens with strong night vision. Consider a floodlight cam if you prefer active lighting.
- Interior: A small turret or dome for a clean look, 2.8 mm lens for hallways.
Look for weather ratings, metal housings, IR range that matches your yard size, and a reputable brand that integrates with a reliable recorder and mobile app.
Is It Worth Installing CCTV At Home?
Yes, if you value visibility, evidence, and peace of mind. Cameras deter casual theft, help you manage deliveries, and provide clear footage if something happens. When paired with a mobile app and proper placement, you can check on your home anytime, even when travelling.
How Eagle View Security solutions Removes The Guesswork
With Eagle View, you get a clear design tailored to your home, tidy installation, an easy mobile app for live view and playback, 24/7 support, and a 3year warranty. You do not have to figure out lenses, cable paths, or recorder settings. We handle it, and we are here long after install day.
If you are in the GTA or Southern Ontario, book a free site assessment. We will walk the property, map coverage, and give you a practical, costsensitive plan that fits your goals.
Quick Answers To Common Questions
- How many CCTV cameras do I need for my house, start with 3 to 6, covering the front door, driveway, side path, and back door. Add an interior choke point and any blind spots.
- Is it better to have wired or wireless security cameras, wired for reliability and video quality, wireless for hard to cable spots. Hybrid is common.
- Is CCTV hard to install, a basic doorbell is simple, a multi camera system is best left to a pro for clean cabling and optimal views.
- Do security cameras need WiFi, no. Only needed for remote access and alerts.
- Which security camera is best, match the lens and features to the location. There is no one size fits all.
Ready For Reliable Coverage?
If you want professional help with planning and installation, Eagle View Security Solutions provides design, installation, 24/7 support, a user friendly app, and a 3 year warranty. Book your free site assessment across the GTA and Southern Ontario, and get a system that simply works.
Note, If you are in Peel or Halton, you can learn more about security camera installation in brampton, security camera installation mississauga, or security systems oakville to see how we support your area.