Installing a Peephole in a Wooden Door

A peephole is a tiny glass window set into the centre of a front door. It’ll allow you to see who’s at the door, without having to open it (or, if you’re quiet, reveal to the caller that you’re in). Since they’re so small, peepholes have minimal impact on the way your door looks. They’re really simple to install into wooden doors, too – especially with the help of our short guide.

Tools Needed to Install a Peephole

To begin with, you’ll need a few tools:

• A drill
• A 3/8” bit
• A spade bit
• Silicon sealant
• Goggles
• A piece of blue tape
• A stepladder
• A pencil
• A tape measure
• The peephole, and any tools that came with it

Measuring for a Peephole

There’s no set height for a peephole, just as there’s no set height for a human eye. You’ll want to use your tape to mark a spot that can be reached by every member of your household. Remember that it’s easier for taller residents to stoop for a moment than it is for shorter ones to stand on tiptoes.

Use a tape measure to measure the width of the door, and mark the central point. As ever, it’s better to measure several times and drill just once. Mark this point on both sides of the door, then measure the depth of the door, and mark your 3/8” drill bit with tape accordingly.

Drilling a Hole for a Peephole

Now you’re ready to drill a pilot hole using the 3/8” bit. To avoid splintering, drill from the exterior until it’s passed through the door. The tape will let you know when this has happened. To keep things at a right-angle, you might wish to stand on a stepladder.

Once you’ve drilled the pilot hole, select a spade bit that’s matched with the diameter of your peephole’s barrel. You’re now ready to install the peephole.

Installing a Peephole

The peephole itself is a tube consisting of two parts. There’s the lens, which has a threaded cylinder attached, and there’s the barrel, which is threaded on the inside. Install the lens from the exterior of the door and then screw the barrel in from the interior. Make sure to double check that these are the right way around, since it will be difficult to reposition them once you’ve applied a sealant. Looking through either end will make it obvious which end of the peephole should go on the inside of your door.

You won’t need much sealant to keep the tube water-tight; just a drop around the lens will be enough. Your peephole should have been sold with a special tightening tool. Failing that, you can always use a coin.