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Modern Front Door “Peephole” Needed

7 years ago
Hi There, Houzzers!
We just installed this beautiful new front door with frosted panels but after a few days we realize we miss being able to easily look outside to check the weather, to see who is at the door, etc. We do have a doorbell camera but checking it all the time is cumbersome. We have no space for sidelight panels. We also have installed a full-view storm door but cannot just keep the door open all the time. Is it nuts (and totally against our mid-century design plan) to cut a hole in this $1000 door and place a small peephole? I’d love to hear any ideas y’all have for us. Thanks in advance!

Comments (17)

  • 7 years ago
    I supposed you could put a peephole in the wooden portion of the door. Farther away, it would not be very visible, although it would be easily seen up close. We used to have a camera on our door, it was awkward to use. If we wanted to check the weather, we looked out a different window.
  • 7 years ago
    I notice in more up-to-date hotel rooms that the peepholes have small covers that can be pushed aside when one needs to look out. If you can get one of those and paint it the same color as the door, perhaps it would not be very noticeable.
  • 7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Our Provia doors have a lifetime warranty provided they are "installed without alteration". One orders Provia doors with or without a peephole pre-installed. I would check whether drilling a hole in the door would invalidate any warranty. It would seem logical to allow a hole to be drilled if the no option for a factory-drilled peephole was available when the door was purchased.

    Peep Hole Security sells a peephole that can be installed in a wall.

  • PRO
    7 years ago
    last modified: 7 years ago

    Too late. In the wall or get an app on your smart phone, or open the door. Or look out a window. I've never been able to see much out a peep hole anyway : )

  • PRO
    7 years ago

    Use the camera and forget the peephole.

  • 7 years ago
    Don't do the peephole and consider this a lesson learned. If the doorbell camera is "cumbersome" (not sure what you mean), how about a security camera?
  • 6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Do not get a peephole. This is one of the issues I would not buy a house. There are many door bell cameras out there that notify you when someone is at the door. And you can see them on your home device or phone. Even at work. I really hate peepholes and keys. Just buy a ring, eufy or a nest door bell.

  • PRO
    6 years ago
    last modified: 6 years ago

    Beware the Nests and Rings......Easily hacked and you may as well let someone inside : ( Everything can be hacked. Absolutely everything.

    I'm all for "beware of the dog" : )

  • PRO
    6 years ago

    Get yourself a Ring doorbell that allows you to see who's at your door from your phone.

  • 6 years ago

    We have Nest cameras, I’m not worried about it being hacked, and even if it was they would just see the outside so not sure how exciting that is!

    We have no peephole and find the Nest camera to be amazing. My kids have the app on their devices too so if they are home alone they can also see who is at the door.

    They are not cumbersome at all and are barely larger than the regular doorbell.

  • PRO
  • 6 years ago

    I would get a Ring. Per the link above, just put the cameras where you don’t care. Ex. Outside the front door.
    Make sure the Ring is at doorbell height and no higher.

    https://www.amazon.com/Ring-Video-Doorbell-1st-Gen/dp/B00N2ZDXW2

  • 6 years ago

    And per hacking - I’m al lot more afraid of devices that do more than just talking. That is why I am not putting any smart appliances in my house.

  • 6 years ago

    I fail to see the problem. Can’t you look out a window to check the weather? Keep the storm door locked so if your doorbell rings you can open the door, if you feel like answering, and still have a layer of protection.

  • 4 years ago
    last modified: 4 years ago

    Already at this stage, everything looks more than cute! My wife and I are currently doing repairs in our apartment and are at the stage of choosing doors. I would like wider and more spacious models, and my wife likes more practical and safe doors since we have two children. We are thinking of ordering something from belldinni door, as I have heard that they make very high-quality doors and their reviews are excellent. Have you heard anything about them? I will be very glad if you share your experience in this field and tell me what to pay attention to

  • 2 years ago

    So what did you end up doing? i have the same door and have been in my house a year and hate not having a peep hole.