How To Install Security Camera On Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding has been around since the 1940s, but its popularity grew significantly in the 1980s with the introduction of PVC-coated vinyl, which gave vinyl siding a finish much like wood. Vinyl became inexpensive and was easy to install. It was also much stronger than aluminum siding and required fewer seams, which reduced the chance of leaks.

Because of how durable this material is it's extremely convenient to mount your security camera to vinyl siding. The installation process is relatively simple. But, if you don't get it correct the first time, you might cover your walls with unsightly holes.

To help you, here's a step-by-step guide on how to mount a security camera on vinyl siding:

Find the Right Angle

Quick Navigation

Find the Right Angle
- Take Into Account the Height and Location
- Be Aware of your Vinyl's Fragility
How to Mount a Security Camera to Vinyl Siding
- Get a Sturdy Ladder
- Inspect and Mark the Surface for the Screws and Wires
- Choose the Proper Drill Bit
- Properly Drill the Holes
- Mount your Camera / Pass Wires Through
- Connect the Cameras to the Monitor and Configure the Settings

Before you start the setup procedure, you should first determine the best location for the camera. Put the device as high as possible to get the best view. To prevent potential attackers from tampering with the camera, choose a place that can only be accessible by ladder. You should also ensure that the view is free from trees, plants, or other structures that may obscure it.

Take Into Account the Height and Location

The majority of residents install security cameras in high-traffic areas around their property. This ensures that your camera will capture video from different angles.

To help you, here's a list of places where it is best to install security cameras:

Your garage
Your front doors
Close to first-floor windows
The back doors

It would be best if you put the camera at a height that is difficult to tamper with yet close enough to the entranceways to provide a clear view. There are several types of security cameras nowadays, which means that there will be varying clarity levels. Before installing any screws or other mounting hardware, test the camera in several spots to confirm that you can see well.

Be Aware of your Vinyl's Fragility

Vinyl may break at cooler temperatures so it can be risky if you are screwing into it in the cold. So, before you start working on your vinyl, you should know how it can interact with the elements. If you reside in a cold climate, you may wish to postpone the mounting process until the weather warms up. (1)

How to Mount a Security Camera to Vinyl Siding

The installation procedure is straightforward.

Get a Sturdy Ladder

You should get a solid and dependable ladder. Place it firmly on level ground. Then have someone assist you by holding the ladder in place while you climb up.

Inspect and Mark the Surface for the Screws and Wires

Examine the top section of the siding by lifting the roofing shingles a little. Examine the wall behind it to determine whether it is masonry or wood. Then, using a tape measure, determine the depth of the vinyl siding. This will help you estimate the drill bit's proper thickness.

Next, place the mounting bracket on the vinyl siding where you intend to mount the camera. Label the holes where the screws will go with a pen or pencil so you can readily see where to screw. If you are using a wired camera, you will need to mark more holes.

Choose the Proper Drill Bit

Choose a drill bit that has the same length as the siding with an extra inch. Position the drill against the mounting hardware markings you previously made. Drill into the siding with a steady hand. You don't want to twist the drill at all.

As a matter of reference, you should use a drill bit that:

Has a diameter about 1/16th-inch larger than the screws you'll be drilling and is one inch longer than the depth of the vinyl siding.
If the drill bit is too lengthy, wrap some masking tape around it at the appropriate level measurement.

Properly Drill the Holes

Take the power drill up to the location and place one pencil mark on the siding with the drill's tip. As the drill cuts through the siding, turn on the drill and keep it steady. Keep drilling until the strip of tape is square with the siding's surface. Once you breach through the siding, you will feel it slip forward.

Drill the rest of the marks in the same way. Change to a more significant bit and punch through the siding where you plan to pull the wires through. Drill a hole in the wall till it pierces the inside.

Clip Hooks with No Holes as an Alternative

You may not be able to drill holes for mounting devices in some circumstances. You can use no-hole clip hooks instead of screws if you're renting a house or an apartment that doesn't allow screws in the vinyl. You can use a vinyl siding clip to easily mount the security camera to the vinyl without the need for holes.

These vinyl siding clips are simple to apply, and you can find them easily online. Clip hooks are quick to install, and you can remove them immediately. They spring up and spin inside the vinyl, after which you can install the camera.

Mount your Camera / Pass Wires Through

Keep the camera against the siding; make sure the screw holes line up with the ones on the siding clips or the ones you just drilled. And then, individually, place the screws provided through the holes and fasten them securely with the drill.

If you are using a wired camera, pass the wiring through the hole you made in the wall. Make sure you insert it correctly. This way, you can keep your wires secured while making your camera look neat and clean. For more tricks on hiding your security camera wires, you may check our article on how to hide security camera wires outside.

You can seal the hole for additional protection, keeping the wires in place and even protecting them from water damage. (2)

Connect the Cameras to the Monitor and Configure the Settings

The final step in figuring out how to mount a security camera to vinyl siding is to set up your DVR/NVR and configure the camera. Below are the steps on how to do this process on either wired or wireless cameras:

For Wired Cameras

Link the surveillance camera's coaxial wires from the cameras' output to the DVR input using BNC connectors (male and female).
Attach the camera's power cable to the power adapter, then insert the adapter into a nearby power outlet.

Some cables contain two wires, one for a Coaxial cable and the other for power. If you wish to use a separate connection for power and another for the signal, you can. However, it might not be a good idea.

For PoE Cameras

Calculate the distance between the PoE IP (Internet Protocol) cameras and the NVR (Network Video Recorder).
Buy a Cat5 Ethernet cable and connect it with RJ45 connectors on both ends.
Plug the PoE camera with one end of the line and the NVR port to the other.
If you have a lot of IP cameras, you can connect them all using a switch and then link the switch to the NVR.

For Wireless Cameras

Install the wireless security cameras in an open area with no obstacles in the way of the Wi-Fi signal.
Maintain your wireless cameras close to the router and a power outlet at all times.
If you want to place your security cameras far away from your house, use a Wi-Fi range extender.

Here's also an article we've written on how to mount a security camera to brick in case the vinyl siding isn't for you.

References
(1) Vinyl – https://www.britannica.com/science/vinyl-compound
(2) water damage – https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/12-tips-for-water-damage-repair/