Increasing your home's safety is achievable with minimal effort using a door peephole. Ace Hardware carries a variety of quality-made peepholes, also known as door viewers. Learn about the importance of door peepholes and how to install a door eyehole from your helpful team at Ace.
What is a Front Door Peephole?
Peepholes are small openings that are drilled into front doors at eye level and fitted with wide-angle lenses. Door peepholes and door viewers are simple devices that add an extra layer of security to entryways by letting homeowners screen everyone who knocks before opening the door.
Where to Install a Door Viewer
Often used in combination with a door chain, a door viewer is a smart and inexpensive way to add an extra layer of security to your home. If you're a condo owner or you rent an apartment, you may only have one entryway. Some houses, on the other hand, have multiple entryways like back and side doors. For extra protection, consider adding peephole viewers to every entrance within your home to make sure all your doors are as secure as possible.
How to Choose the Right Door Eye Hole
Door viewers come in an array of different styles and features. When purchasing a front door peephole, consider the size of your entryway. Narrower, smaller entryways often work well with 130 to160-degree peepholes, while 180 to 200-degree peepholes may work better for larger entryways.
How to Install a Peephole
Installing a peephole is a relatively straightforward process. Before installing a door eyehole, you'll need to gather a few items:
- Drill
- Screwdriver
- Tape measurer
- Pencil
- Spade bit
- Silicone sealant
Follow these four simple steps to install your door viewer:
- Determine the Right Height - Choose a height on the door that's at eye-level for you and your family. Use a tape measure find the center of your door and mark the spot where you plan to install the door viewer with a pencil.
- Drill a Pilot Door Peephole - To identify the correct spade bit, read the installation instructions that come with your door viewer. Using the appropriate spade bit, begin drilling slowly from the exterior side of the door to create a pilot hole. Stop drilling the pilot hole when the tip of the bit emerges through the interior surface of the door.
- Install the Door Viewer - Peepholes typically consist of a lens and a barrel. To identify the lens of the peephole, look for threads that are positioned on the outside. To identify the barrel of the peephole, look for the threads that are positioned on the inside. Starting at the exterior of the door, insert the lens into the hole. Then, from the interior side of the door, complete the installation of the door viewer by inserting the barrel into the hole and hand-threading both sides together.
- Apply a Bead of Silicone Sealant - To help seal out moisture, apply a bead of silicone sealant around the perimeter of the lens. Then, tighten the barrel with the appropriate tool. The door peephole should be mounted flush with the door.
Don't risk blindly opening the door without knowing who's on the other side. Shop Ace Hardware for the best selection of front door peepholes, and then explore our array of
doorbells and accessories.
