Door Alarms can range from the extremely simple to the incredibly complex, incorporating live monitoring, security patrols, cameras and intercom systems. Choosing an alarm system can be a daunting task, since you are buying equipment to prevent an event that you aren't sure exactly how or when might happen. We're going to explore some of the different types of door alarms here,

The first thing to consider is what you are getting a door alarm for, as it will directly influence the type of door alarm you are going to purchase. Are you trying to keep intruders and burglars out while you are away or asleep? Are you trying to keep your teenagers from sneaking out? Choosing a door alarm will vary based on whether you want it to primarily work while you are home or away, since both require different notifications.

For instance, if you are trying to keep your teenagers from sneaking out, you could use a simple magnetic strip alarm, which will go off shrilly if the magnetic strip loses contact. This will also work for burglars if you are home, so that they will be scared away and you can call the police when you hear the sound. If you are not at home, you can still use this type of device, but you will have to depend on a neighbor to hear it and call the police.

Before you decide on a door alarm system, decide where exactly you are going to put your door alarms. It is a good idea to put one at any entry point that can be forced open, but this is not always practical as houses can have many doors or windows.  Generally, the areas you'll want to concentrate on are doors that are out of view from the main street and neighbors such as back doors or side doors, and windows that are behind bushes or a fence and make it difficult for neighbors to see. Those are the areas that a burglar will target, rather than a window facing the street in plain view of the neighbors and likely illuminated by the porch or lawn lights. 

Generally, unless you habitually leave a ladder leaning against your house, second floor windows aren't a problem.  The burglar will pick the easiest spot to enter, and if there is no easy way, will likely find another target before climbing into second story windows and the like. 

Another decision that you'll need to make is whether to have a monitored or unmonitored alarm system. Monitored systems can provide some benefit, as they can call the police in a break-in situation, but are generally fairly expensive with a monthly subscription fee. If you can afford it, and you have a lot of valuable things in your home, then this may be beneficial to you, as you can install cameras, audio equipment and alarms and those can be controlled by the agent at the monitoring center. 

Unmonitored door alarms are available now that will call you, and several others, if an alarm gets triggered. One such system that I found is at Brick House Security, but I am sure that there are hundreds of similar alarm systems like this one.  I have included a link to it, for your convenience. http://www.brickhousesecurity.com/wireless-home-security-alarm.html  This system is about the same price as six months of monitoring by an alarm company would be. 

You may not even need monitoring at all, as a loud, piercing alarm will almost always scare off whoever was planning to break in. Remember, they are looking for a quick score, and generally will not have knowledge of alarm systems and often will be on edge and paranoid from drug use.  Don't believe what you see in the movies.  Burglars will not be able to disable your alarm in three seconds, or by cutting your power, as most door alarm systems are either battery operated or have a backup battery system at least. 

The Notification Alarm:  This is a door alarm that will chime or beep when someone enters. It is generally used for businesses, to let the clerk know that someone is in the store, should they be in the back.  Generally, you won't want to use this type of alarm for your home, as you may not even be able to hear it from other rooms, especially with noise from the television, radio or children. 

Magnetic Strip Alarms:  These are extremely inexpensive door alarms and window alarms and can be found at almost any retailer.  I have even seen these type of devices at the dollar stores for a buck or two, but the old axiom of you get what you pay for holds true, I wouldn't trust those systems with my home's security and I recommend that you don't either. How they work is that when the door or window is closed, the magnetic strips are touching, and if they break contact without the system being disabled a loud, piercing alarm will sound. 

Comprehensive Systems:  These include sensors at the doors or windows that can either alert a monitoring service, law enforcement or you, the homeowner, and can support cameras, audio monitoring and recording capabilities.  These are the most expensive types of door alarms but provide the highest level of security, and prevention, as cameras positioned around a house will make any burglar turn away, no matter how eager he or she is for a score. 

The other type of alarm you may to want to consider, in addition to your door alarms, is a window alarm.  You already know that you can install an alarm that will go off if the window is forced open, and the magnetic strips separate.  However, there are also alarms that will go off if the glass is broken.  They detect the vibrations caused by a window breaking and go off. 

I hope that this has helped you make a decision on which type of alarm system to get. I would say that every homeowner should have one, because not only will a burglary deprive you of your property, but it will also destroy your peace of mind and sense of privacy. Someone breaking into your house can emotionally scar your children and in some cases may even result in harm to yourself and your family. Whatever you do, choose some sort of alarm system and install it.