No matter what type of cameras you use at your business, you should protect them by using camera enclosures and covers. Cameras are a significant investment and their delicate electronics can be easily damaged by dust, dirt and exposure to the elements. Most custom camera enclosures are easy to put on and inexpensive when compared to the cost of a new camera. Just make sure the camera enclosures and covers you buy fit properly and do not block the view through the camera lens.

When you begin looking at the pricing and costs of camera enclosures and covers, you'll find that prices vary widely depending on the size of the camera covers, in addition to the features of the covers. So begin your search for camera protection covers by determining if you need:

1. Basic covers for fixed indoor cameras, such as surveillance camera covers;

2. A heavy-duty outdoor camera enclosure for a fixed outdoor camera;

3. And professional installation of your covers for security cameras.

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The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine the price of indoor security camera covers

Indoor security camera covers consist mainly of tinted or mirrored domes that you can install over your security cameras. These covers for security cameras hide unsightly wires and protect the camera from vandalism. They range in price from $100 to $200.

I recommend: ConvexMirrorPros.com is a good place to compare prices for several types of drop-in dome and mirrored dome covers. A1 Security Camera Systems lists the prices for dozens of domed camera covers.

Learn the cost of a fixed outdoor security camera enclosure

When shopping for outdoor security camera enclosures, you'll find basic models cost between $300 and $700, which is quite a bit more than indoor security cam covers. This is because the outdoor models are constructed of heavy-duty materials and often come with heating units to protect the camera components.

I recommend: A good place to get more information about the prices of different types of outdoor camera covers is 2MCCTV. Security Kits has outdoor camera enclosures that range from $250 to $750.

Factor in the cost of installing camera enclosures and covers

Whether you are buying surveillance camera covers for indoor or outdoor use, you will also have to install them. Installing the covers only (and not the cameras) is a relatively simple job that can be accomplished by a handyman on your staff. However, you might want to have the camera covers installed by a professional to ensure they are installed correctly. If this is the case, then expect to pay several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the size of your system and the part of the country where you live.

I recommend: If you would like to get a more exact estimate, then check out CCTV Camera Pros. It allows you to fill out an online installation request. If you live in a major city, then contact a company that sells and installs camera covers, such as DNB Security in Chicago.

You use surveillance cameras to protect your property, so you need to protect your security investment with surveillance camera covers in order to keep everything operating at its best.

There are as many types of camera enclosures and covers as there are security and surveillance cameras. It is best to know what your basic needs are before you start shopping. Questions to answer before you begin looking for custom camera enclosures include:

1. What type of camera needs a cover or enclosure — inside equipment, outside equipment or CCTV equipment? The diameter of the camera lens plays a role, too.

2. Are looks important, or is quality more important? Sometimes it is both, but for outdoor camera covers, durability is critical.

3. How much time and expense are you willing to put in? Do you want to do it yourself (DIY) or hire a professional installer?

Action Steps
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Keep it protected with a security camera enclosure

Whether you want a DIY installation, or a professional to come to your business and do the work for you, finding the right covers for security cameras will take a bit of work.

I recommend: Security and More is a DIY shop which offers free professional support with your purchase of a plastic security camera enclosure, mounting accessories, or stainless steel camera enclosures. 2M CCTV offers CCTV camera covers along with a wide variety of CCTV surveillance system housing options.

Use special consideration for an outdoor camera enclosure

Outdoor surveillance cameras require different protection measures than indoor security cameras in regard to covers. Natural forces are at play on the outside, so consider heavy-duty camera covers. If you are in a cold climate at any time of the year, an outdoor camera enclosure with a heater and blower would be a solid investment.

I recommend: PriceGrabber.com is a fluid repository for available camera covers that changes on a daily basis, but you can find good deals. Dotworkz Systems offers a selection of heavy-duty camera covers with prices and links to retailers.

Protect equipment from the elements with specialty security camera covers

Indoor and outdoor cameras can benefit from camera covers by having the lenses protected from any natural elements. Some security cam covers are purposely chosen to blend in with the scenery, or at least to not attract attention to their location.

I recommend: Global Plastic Services International has a large selection of various-sized domes for use as security camera protection covers. TooToo.com is a searchable product database by business type and market location.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to get a cleaning kit if you purchase surveillance camera enclosures, especially for outdoor cameras. If the lens has to see through a cover, you will want to make sure that nothing distorts the view.

Surveillance camera covers are a low cost investment that helps keeps your high cost security camera clean and well kept, safe and vandalism free. Security cam covers are vital in places such as schools, offices, prisons, banks, hospitals, retail environments and more as they not only deter criminals, but they also protect what could be the evidence that puts away the bad guys in case of a crime.

Security camera covers come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase simple ones that only encase your camera to keep it dry and dust free. You can upgrade to heavy duty ones that are not only strong and durable, but waterproof as well. Other styles include domed ones, with either see-through acrylic or a mirrored surface. Whatever kind you choose, though, you are making a good investment in protecting your equipment.

To find out more about camera enclosures and covers types and styles:

1. Look at traditional surveillance camera enclosures for low security uses.

2. Upgrade to heavy duty CCTV camera covers for high security situations.

3. Use domed camera protection covers for retail surroundings.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Purchase a standard security camera enclosure for everyday use

Non-threatening environments like schools and office complexes can generally use a traditional security camera enclosure that simply keeps dust off the camera and keeps it relatively hidden from line of site. These enclosures aren't meant to be waterproof or keep it from being yanked out of the wall, but they offer a slight degree of protection.

I recommend: Consider the indoor/outdoor housing from A1 Security Camera Systems. Of note is that A1 Security Camera Systems offers corporate, educational, government and reseller discounts. Look at the Sony SNC-UNI Housing from Security-Kits.

Go with heavy duty surveillance camera covers

Stronger, heavy duty or waterproof security camera covers do the trick when it comes to high maintenance facilities. Places that there is a danger to the well being of the patients, inmates, visitors or employees require surveillance camera enclosures that can withstand brute strength, water, bodily fluids and more.

I recommend: Take a look at the outdoor weatherproof surveillance camera enclosures from 2M Solutions. Check out the heavy duty security cam covers from OkSolar.com. These heavy duty models are made to stand up against atmospheres, weather and vandalism and are great for correctional facilities as well as psychiatric facilities.

Go with domed camera enclosures and covers for retail surroundings

Domed camera covers are great for retail environments because they allow you to rotate and/or re-aim your camera without your potential shoplifter's knowledge. They can also help you thwart off employee shrinkage as well.

I recommend: Check out the mirrored drop ceiling dome camera housing from Supercircuits. The acrylic is break resistant, and you can relocate or re-aim your camera without shoppers seeing where you are pointing it or focusing on. The Dell outdoor camera dome enclosure is built to withstand extreme outdoor weather conditions.

Whether you use security cameras to monitor the interior of your workplace or the exterior of your property, you need to have sturdy enclosures and covers to make sure your cameras operate properly. Knowing the basic terminology of camera enclosures will help you choose the right covers for your situation. For example, if you own interior cameras, you’ll need light-duty enclosures to protect them from dust and vandalism, while exterior cameras in harsh conditions may need to be weather resistant or even explosion proof. Once you know the key terms, you can easily select camera enclosures for your business.

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Light duty

Designed for interior use, light-duty enclosures are the least expensive camera enclosures. These enclosures protect the camera from everyday dirt and dust buildup, and they also usually come with tamper-resistant features to dissuade would-be vandals.

I recommend: See a picture of a typical light-duty enclosure and read about its features at 123SecurityProducts.

Dome enclosure

A dome enclosure is a popular style for locations where a security camera would seem intrusive. These enclosures protect and hide the camera behind a glass dome, which often use smoked glass to better obscure the direction of the camera. Though these enclosures don't hide the fact that you have cameras, they can make visitors feel more welcome than exposed cameras.

I recommend: See a dome enclosure for cameras that features smoked glass at ProVantage.

Recessed enclosure

A recessed enclosure fits into a ceiling, allowing the camera to stay relatively unobtrusive. The most common styles of recessed enclosures are wedge and dome.

I recommend: View a wedge-recessed enclosure at Security Hardware Discount.

Weather resistant and weather rating

You need to house all exterior cameras in weather resistant enclosures to function well in all seasons, but some camera enclosures use a weather rating. This helps you know just how weatherproof the enclosure is. A rating of IP66 is among the highest for camera enclosures, and these models feature a heater and a blower to regulate temperature.

I recommend: Read about the qualities of an IP66-rated camera enclosure at Supercircuits. Compare it to the weather resistant model listed at Mace Security International.

Pressurized enclosure

To keep an exterior camera especially secure from environmental and weather effects, you can use a pressurized enclosure. Another benefit of pressurized enclosures is the reduction in maintenance cost, since there is no way for contaminants to affect the camera.

I recommend: Read about the benefits of pressurization at Cohu.

Explosion proof

An explosion proof enclosure is the most rugged camera enclosure you can purchase. These enclosures can withstand hazardous conditions and will keep operating even in the vicinity of explosions. Most explosion proof enclosures are also waterproof.

I recommend: Read about the EHX*E Series explosion proof enclosure, which is appropriate for use on both land and in marine environments, by visiting Surveillance-Video.