+24 votes
by (490 points)
A friend of mine is building a rather large home & came to me for advice on DIY security. Due to the size of the house (3 floors, 9000sqft), I'm concerned about the ability of the mesh to function properly with wireless sensors. though he could possibly use outlets & multiple hubs to mitigate some of that. I suggested a wired system. but. he doesn't want to pay for a professionally monitored solution. and frankly, I do think it's a waste of money. Is there some kind of bridge solution that would allow for the home run low voltage wires to connect to a Samsung hub. or possibly even a SimpliSafe solution?  
A friend of mine is building a rather large home & came to me for advice on DIY security.

17 Answers

+22 votes
by (15.3k points)
There are multiple options. Konnected is the one you'll hear from most ST users - allows for traditional wired security sensors to be used in conjunction with a ST system. Personally I prefer a solution based on software called AlarmServer in conjunction with a traditional security board and an EVL3/4 Keypad to IP interface because I like my security system to be completely independent of the cloud. Each has many pros/cons and it'll be up to your friend which is right for them.  
by (200 points)
I like this too. I went with an ELK system years ago. It has modules where you can go wireless if you want. Has integrations with some smart devices. Base not pricey, adding modules feels pricey. You can setup to a traditional monitoring service or roll your own. My personal setup is ELK board, module interface for internet (so I can notify myself of anything) and module for GE wireless devices. I use an app called ek Pro on an iPhone to remotely do anything with the system if I want. You can then use Konnected to tie into ST, I beleive if I have read things right, but I have not done this. In fact I use this system with a wired door contact sensor on my garage doors to text me if they open/close as the MyQ system is just not as reliable as I want it to be. so I have a backup.  
+8 votes
by (620 points)
I have the SmartThings 3-piece Wifi system with then integrated smart home hub and SimpliSafe for my security. SimpliSafe doesn’t current have an range extenders so I would not suggest that as an option. The SmartThings WiFi system does allow you to add additional units to continue to extend the range; that would be my choice for such a large area. My home is 3400 sq ft and the 3-piece system covers it without any problems.  
by (330 points)
@outcurve4 Any integration between the two or are you using each as standalone systems?  
by (620 points)
@malherbe standalone. SimpliSafe will integrate with Alexa but that’s about it. Haven’t found a way to get it and ST to talk to each other.  
by (330 points)
@outcurve4 I hadn’t either so I haven’t used it yet. I ended up buying the ADT SmartThings hub when it came out. Only annoying thing is buying the special sensors for it but it does integrate well with SmartThings so I’ll keep that until someone comes out with something better.  
by (490 points)
@outcurve4 I also use the smartthings wifi. I had issues with my house being too big to work well off of 1 hub. I wasn't happy with my Google wifi and decided to switch. I have 5 AP's in mesh and each has a built in ST hub. I have tripled my ST installation since then because it all works so well now.  
+8 votes
by (780 points)
At a home that large I would avoid DIY altogether. You need something a bit more. reliable. Find an Elan dealer or RTI dealer.  
+10 votes
by (830 points)
Have him use wired with a konnected unit and use hubitat instead of ST. Hubitat has the ability to connect to one another and it local proccessing. I switch from st to hubitat over 6 months ago and it's far superior. Check it out.  
by (830 points)
So he could have a hub on each floor if needed.  
+12 votes
by (1.7k points)
I hope power never goes out. Home automation is nice but real security matters to insurance companies, especially after the fact when it's time to cut a check
+7 votes
by (3.4k points)
No offense but he needs a professional system. A house that size will attract attention and the diy systems are not up to the task.  
+4 votes
by (290 points)
Control 4 or Savant.  
+13 votes
by (4.2k points)
DIY security is easy. Call ADT.  
+23 votes
by (4.2k points)
Don’t trust your home to smartthings or any other home automation gadget.  
+12 votes
by (3.5k points)
If he can afford a 9000 sqft house he need to re asses his priorities. Going wired NOW during construction is a MILLIONS time more reliable and cheaper in the long run than wireless. First he needs to get his choice of kind of sensors decided. Then rough the wire in. He doesn’t need to buy the sensors and such and everything NOW. but run the low voltage wiring NOW. I’d do every door and wire every window. Have multiple power plugs and extra wiring ran outside for driveway sensors and the like. I used to build home. I’ve built 10k sqft homes so I understand the size and magnitude. ROUGH the wires in now and drop them to the central security point and decided later what route to go. And with magnetic sensors or motion sensors rough in you can always switch your choice of “base” station later. Also. Extra wires I. A wall doesn’t hurt anything. But running new wires will be costly.  
by (3.5k points)
While he’s at it run wiring for power for auto window shades.  
+15 votes
by (830 points)
Regardless of how they are used, wired sensors are absolutely the best decision. Cost during construction is insignificant, likely less than $25 per sensor to wire. Greater than 99% reliability, infinite sensor and electronic choices, NO range or pairing issues for life! This is really a no-brainer.  
+8 votes
by (1.1k points)
Pro monitored solution is a waste of money until your house burns down.  
+15 votes
by (1.2k points)
Love my Konnected. io setup with SmartThings. Works with my wired sensors.  
https://konnected.io/
+14 votes
by (4k points)
What @heavenward said is spot on, and to top all that off I'd go ahead and run network cable as well. I hate to know I had a 9000 sq ft home running off simplisafe and an ISP wifi
+1 vote
by (1.2k points)
Hire an electrician wire it all with cat6 and go with ubiquity access points and POE router. You have the money if you can afford 9000 sq ft.  
+9 votes
by (410 points)
It really depends on how big the first floor is, how many windows, how many doors, is there a basement with potential break-in possibilities, is there access to the 2nd floor by ordinary means? An alarm will only do one thing, it will tell you that someone is in your house and notify the police if you pay for that feature. For real safety you want proximity sensors as well as well placed security cameras. You will also want security film on all glass windows and glass doors, steel reinforced door frame for any external entry points, this will buy you time to prepare or notify the police. Is he preparing for a regular burglary or a home invasion? Once he figures that out he can move forward with how he should proceed.  
by (3.5k points)
@ticktacktoe glass film is a waste. Motion sensors in the room are 10x better. They serve the purpose of room presence and room breachment through said window. This type of sensor will have better future implications.  
by (410 points)
@heavenward depends which film we're talking about here. If the film buys me 30 seconds then it has served it's purpose of me securing my family into our panic room and position myself ready to fire at intruder or instruders. Everyone's circumstances is different. Which motion sensor are you referring to because I want to upgrade some of my sensors. Please provide a link if you can. I have a sensor that senses behind walls but it is not a "smart" sensor and pretty sensitive which cause to many false alerts for security purposes.  
by (3.5k points)
Just get any sensor with a closed and open output.  
+4 votes
by (320 points)
As said go wired and run via Konnected and ST, works very well.  
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