Improve home security in 15 minutes by installing a door peephole.
Time An hour or less
ComplexityBeginner
CostLess than $20
Introduction
Lo-tech but extremely effective, a peephole let's you see who's on the other side of the door – before you open it. Installation is simple. Here's how to do it, no matter what type of entry door you have.
As sturdy deadbolts and reliable window locks have become more common, some crooks have learned that the easiest way to get into a house is just to ring the doorbell. Never open the door unless you know who’s on the other side. If you don’t have windows that let you see who’s knocking, it’s easy to install a door peephole.
Standard peepholes are inexpensive and are sold at home centers and hardware stores. Installation takes less than 15 minutes, whether your door is wood, steel, fiberglass or a composite material. It’s a very easy way to make your home feel more secure.
Tools Required
- Cordless drill
- Tape measure
Materials Required
- Peephole (available from home centers and hardware stores)
Project step-by-step (3)
Step 1
Drill the doorhole
Before you begin, you must decide how high you want your peephole to be and where you want it placed on the door. Ideally, it will be at eye level in the middle of the door, but if you live with people of different heights than you, you may need to work with them to decide what will be most accessible. The goal is for everyone in the household to use it easily.
For a splinter-free hole through a wood door, use a brad point bit. With metal, fiberglass or composite doors, use a standard bit. Run the drill at full speed and press lightly—that creates a clean hole through the outer skin and inner foam core. Most door peepholes require a 1/2-in. hole.
Step 2
Insert the pieces
Peepholes come in two parts: a lens and a sleeve. Once you’ve drilled a hole in the door, insert the lens from the inside and the sleeve from the outside.
Step 3
Assemble the peephole
After you’ve gotten the pieces inserted, screw them together to form a peephole. And there you have it, a fast project that lends you a heightened sense of security at home.
