Purchasing CCTV cameras and equipment online relies on a huge implication of DIY installs, after all huge savings are made on labour costs when you chose to do it yourself. With that in mind, it's important to compliment that philosophy with ways you can put that into practice, we have video tutorials, social media graphics, and How to Guides.
When it comes to setting up your own system, the hardest part for most people isn't actually mounting the turret. The most costly, time consuming and honestly difficult part of getting power to your CCTV camera is cable management, figuring out how you're going to DIY your ethernet cables from each device back to the recorder. It's a massive job drilling through walls and taking up floorboards just to hide them, and frankly, it's unnecessary.
In this article, were going to go through 5 different methods you can use to hide CAT5E/6 cables without having to tear up your entire house. These methods consist of varying degrees of budget, visibility, and project scope. If any of the following methods sound up your street, skip ahead to see if it you can take it on:
Budget friendly cable clips that hide in plain sight
Cable trunking that evenly covers most of your cable
DIY free powerline adapters to remove POE cables completely
Keep Everything safe behind recessed skirting boards or skirting covers
Create dynamic spacious housing for multiple cables and CCTV cameras using lighting & hollow coving
Compare which of all the method would be best for you
Hiding In Plain Sight Using Cable Clips
This is the cheapest and simplest method to cable management, but it also means it isn't the most hidden. Cable clips are small circular piece of plastic that hold wires in place either with nails or adhesive pads, for the sake of this example and reducing the amount of manual labour needed for this, let's say we are using adhesive pads.
The process is very straight forward, using white clips and CAT5E/6 cable, and secure them along the skirting boards of each CCTV camera back to your switch or recorder, of course this only works if you've kept your skirting boards white. This DIY technique to hide them in plain sight will be glossed straight over by those aren't paying much attention, it's only when guests get up close or really look out for it will the notice a difference. Cable clips can also be used over the tops of doorframes to prevent tripping on cables. While its not the most elegant solution for hiding your ethernet wires, it gets the job done on a budget without being too difficult for those who not looking to start a whole new home improvement project for their CCTV cameras.
Cable trunking
Cable trunking are tunnels of varying sizes that house cables to give them plenty of slack and keep them away from damage or interference. Available at any DIY retailer these are available in a range of colours or can be painted. Much like the clips, trunking can secure itself to other surfaces around the house with self adhesive strips or by screwing it onto a track.
The trunkings advanced camouflage (the fact it can be painted) allows for a wider variety of positioning. This includes being fitted along ceiling or down the corner of rooms to make it back to the recorder from the CCTV camera. The process for this method, while not too dissimilar from the clips process, goes like this: Find the best route for your POE cable following the edges of your walls back to the NVR, then fit the trunking along that route, hid the cables inside, and paint it to match your walls so it at first glance there is no cable and the trunking blends in completely. This technique give you more freedom compared to the last, allowing you to hide cables high up where people won't immediately be looking, because who's going to look on top of your kitchen cupboards?
Powerline adapters
I know, you're sick about hearing me talk about adhesive pads and you want to hear some methods that really takes your CCTV camera cable management to the highest level. Well, this method will remove them completely! Let me explain what a powerline adapter AKA pass through power line kit is.
This pair of devices transport ethernet data through your mains powerline and back into its original transmission at the other end. They plug directly into the mains and have another plug socket on them, so they aren't taking up any precious spaces on your limited wall sockets. This means instead of running a huge CAT5E/6 cable around your entire house, this is completely DIY free you need only to plug one in next to your CCTV camera or switch, one in next to your recorder and plug the ethernet cables into the RJ45 ports on either end. All the difficult planning and hiding the cables out of the picture.
You're probably thinking if this method exists then why do anything else and write a whole article about it? Well because, pass through adapters don't provide power, so you will need to plug in either a switch or POE injector for every powerline adapter you own.
Recessed Skirting Boards & Skirting Board Covers
So far in this article I've talked a lot about skirting boards, mostly running cables alongside them and following them around each room. But, if you're feeling like a true DIY'er you can stuff your POE cables behind your boards, hiding them completely.
There are a few names for this kind of board depending on where you go, usually boards with a recess or rebate for cables and/ or pipes. This cable management process works by removing your old skirting boards, running the cable along the edge where the wall meets the floor, and attaching the recessed/ rebated skirting board, trapping the cable underneath hidden from prying eyes.
Now, were not a DIY specialist here at CCTV outlet so we don't have all the nuanced tips and tricks but here is a general explanation for how to remove and replace your skirting boards:
1. Score the top edge with a blade to cut the caulk away from the wall
2. Create a small gap between the boards and the wall using a wedge of some kind
3. Use a crowbar or pry bar up to remove the boards up against the wedge to avoid damaging the wall
4. Remove any debris and nails left in the wall
5. Prepare your new boards by cutting the corners so match your room and painting them however you like.
6. Line your CAT5/6 cables up on the route from camera to NVR
7. Apply strong grab adhesive on the back of the skirting, and line it up with the wall and the wires in the recess.
8. Push the board up against the wall, and fix using nails or screws.
9. Finally patch up any gaps and touch up the paint.
Simple enough when we put it like that. For some, that's a bit much, and guess what, there is a way to hide your Ethernet cables the exact same way without ripping anything off the wall. They're called skirting board covers they work exactly the same way however they just go over the top of your original skirting boards. The mounting process works the same without the initial board removal. If you have limited tools and a bit of confidence doing some DIY, this is a great way to achieve completely hidden cables around your house.
Hollow Coving & Dynamic Lighting
Aesthetically, I've saved the best 'til last here, this one is my favourite, because it provides plenty of space to run multiple CCTV cameras worth of POE cable while hiding them completely, it comes in any style you can think of so it will match any room, and I think the dynamic lighting is a great touch. This is Coving, or Cornice, depending on which style you buy. They are essentially decorative beams that cover where the wall meets the ceiling. High up and out of the way, this is a great place for wires to go and depending on the style you get, they are still within reach thanks to its open access.
Setting up coving yourself is a quite a task but not out of the question for a DIY enthusiast. Instead of trusting our judgement as this isn't as common as the standard skirting boards or CCTV camera mounting, check out this really simple tutorial from Wickes you can follow. Coving is available from most home improvement retailers, but it won't be for everyone, if you're not up to the project or simply don't want coving for your property, that why we have plenty of different methods to choose from.
Which Method Is Best For You?
With 5 different cable management methods and pros and cons for each, it's hard to break down all in one go which one is best for you. So, we will be doing that also. The best way to determine which approach you should take is by process of elimination. Start by identifying which method aligns with best with your CCTV camera arrangement, visual preference and DIY ability. We have created a rating system from 1 to 5 ranking each method in these for aspects:
DIY Friendly: How easy it is to set up
Visibility: How easy it is spot to the cables
Accessibility: How easy it is to move or change wires once it’s in place
Budget: How expensive the project can become
Now you know the best way to manage your cables from our recommendation, take a look at our cable options and choose between pre-made or crimping your own with entire drums. And if you want to know more about CCTV camera installation, check out our guide right here.
