How To Mount Cameras Under Eaves? Step by Step Guide

Michael started his professional career as a security-camera technician. Later, he started his own business of security-camera service, and it's been a decade that he’s...Read more

Among all the suitable places, under the eaves is a good option to mount your security camera. The eave shade keeps the camera protected from harsh weather. Plus, the camera kind of remains hidden under the eaves.

Since you are here, it’s no wonder that you don’t know how to mount cameras under eaves. Or you might be double-checking what you’ve learned.

Whatever it is, this very guide should be enough to make you mount a security camera under the eaves within a few minutes. Check it out!

Tools You’ll Be Needing in the Process

There are a bunch of tools you will need throughout the installation process, so make sure to organize them near you before you get started.

  • High-quality tape: A fish tape will be a good option, consider picking a good quality tape that won’t come loose. Depending on the length of the cable, you might need anywhere between 25 – 50ft of tape.
  • Drill machine: If you will be screw mounting the security camera, then you obviously need a drill machine with the regular drill bit.
  • Flashlight: Most of the time due to the shade, people require a headlamp or flashlight to install a camera under the eaves. But if you are doing that in bright sunlight, that might not be necessary.
  • Ladder: Eaves are high, therefore you will need something reliable to reach the height.
  • Aluminum strip: Due to some reasons, if you can’t drill the eave, an aluminum strip will work just fine. Even though the eaves can be drilled, still many people prefer using aluminum strips.
  • Ethernet cable: The security camera kit will include an Ethernet cable, but that might not be sufficient. In most cases, mounting a camera on the eaves requires more cables.
  • Wire Clips: Camera cables can look messy inside the house, and wire clips are a great way to organize them nicely. Depending on the length of the wire, you might need 30–60 wire clips. Make sure the size is compatible with the cable thickness.
  • Paint: If you want the security camera to blend with the eaves color, then you’ll have to do a little painting of similar color on the security camera.
  • Hammer: A small hammer would be fine, will be needed to attach the wire clips to the wall.

9 Steps Process to Mounting Cameras Under Eaves

First, go through all the steps, make sure you have understood every step properly, and then get down to real work. Do not forget to make a checklist of the items you will need and also right down the steps so that you don’t skip anything in the field.

1. Plan Out Things

Before you take all your tools and start drilling, calm down and plan things out. Take a pen and paper and write down all the steps. What you will be doing and what not. The first thing you would want to determine is the camera angle, it’s a crucial one. Many people make a major mistake here.

Take a look at the area you want the security camera to cover and then depending on that, choose an angle. Whatever angle you choose, make sure that covers the area clearly, there isn’t anything to interrupt the camera when it will rotate.

And most importantly, mount the camera at a lower distance from the eave shade, otherwise, the infrared light will reflect. When that happens, the night vision recordings will get blurry and messy.

Furthermore, also plan out the cable route, where you will draw the cable, and how you organize it.

2. Take Measurement for the Cables

The length of the cable is a concern here, as the distance varies from home to home. For example, if the power outlet or the BNC connector is far from the eaves, then the amount of wire that comes with the camera kit won’t be enough, you will need more.

Take Measurement for the Cables

So before you start working, measure how many cables will you need. Most CCTV cameras have two wires that are sealed together, in that case, it will be best if both the power outlet and the BNC connector are at the same location.

3. Make way for Cables

You must have planned the cable route before, right? Even if you didn’t, plan now. As a rule of thumb, the closer the camera to the power outlet and connector, the less cable you will need. So try your best to find a short route that will be the same and efficient. If there isn’t any hole to pass the cable through, you might need to do a bit of drilling.

Make way for cables

4. Drill the Aluminum Strip

Measure the distance from the wall to the edge of the eave. And then cut the aluminum strip.

After that, drill two screw holes either in the middle or at the edges of the aluminum strip to attach that to the eave. You’ll have to do the same thing to the eaves as well. Some eaves are designed in such a way that you won’t need to screw mount the strip. If you also have such eaves, then no need to drill.

Plus, if you want the aluminum strip to match the eaves color, then paint the aluminum strip the same color. Do it before you mount the security camera.

5. Drill Holes for the Camera

Put the camera mount on the camera strip to mark the screw location. Take a marker and point out those exact locations. Then drill holes for the screws. You might need to make 3–4 screw holes depending on the mount type.

Drill holes for the camera

6. Draw the Cables and Mount the Camera

Once you have done all the drilling, now it’s time to put things where they belong. The very first thing you would want to do is, draw cables by the planned route, all the way from the connector and power outlet to the exterior of the eave.

And then mount the camera to the aluminum strip properly. It will be convenient if you mount the camera to the strip first then you can screw the strip to the eaves easily. Make sure the camera is mounted securely.

7. Screw Strip to the Eave

After you have mounted the camera to the strip, take the ladder and mount the aluminum strip to the eave. Install that exactly where you planned, before attaching do a check if that’s the correct angle. Once everything seems perfect, screw the strip to the eaves or attach that in any other way.

8. Do Needed Customizations

When the installation is done, plug in the cable to a power outlet and BNC connector. And also plug in the cable to the security camera to make sure everything is working fine. Check out every angle if the camera rotates.

Also, check the night vision coverage to see if the infrared lights are reflecting or not. If the night recordings come blurry or messy, then it is because of the IR light reflection. And you will need to relocate the camera.

After checking everything when there isn’t anything to change, then we can move to the final step.

9. Organizing the Cable with Wire Clips

You will need a small hammer for this. Plan a straight line by which you will be locking the cable so that they don’t keep moving and make a mess. If needed use a temporary market to mark the route for your convenience. And then start locking the cable with the wire clip. You should attach a wire clip after every 5-10 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read the following FAQ section to clear all the confusion that is coming into your mind.

Are Eaves a Good Place for Security Cameras?

If you want your security camera to be protected and still give good coverage, then eaves are a great place for security cameras.

How do I put the camera under the eave?

You can either screw-mount the camera or clip-mount it. There are several ways to mount cameras under the eaves.

Can I screw it into the soffit?

Sure you can. But since they are soft, people consider using the aluminum strip to mount the camera under the soffit.

How much weight can a soffit hold?

Most well-made soffits can take up to 15-pounds of weight. It actually depends on the quality, some might not even take 5 pounds.

How do you mount an outdoor security camera without screws?

There are a bunch of ways to mount a security camera without screws, such as using adhesive, double-sided tapes, siding or gutter hook, magnet, etc.

Conclusion

When you have decided to mount a security camera under the eave, make sure to pick a camera that is weather resistant. And it would be better if you could use a wireless camera, as that eliminates the mess of wires.

With that said, wrapping this article up. If you didn’t know how to mount cameras under eaves, now you definitely do. Don’t forget to leave your feedback on the guide and let us know if there is anything else you want to know.

Michael started his professional career as a security-camera technician. Later, he started his own business of security-camera service, and it's been a decade that he’s been doing it. There is simply nothing that he doesn’t know about security cameras and their accessories. He created this site Aimprivacy, to share his knowledge and decade of experience with people who don’t have any prior knowledge about security and spy cameras.

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