A peephole is a small but mighty addition to your front door. It provides the security of knowing who is at your door without having to open it.
A great option is the viewer’s optical lens. It has a wide angle for maximum viewing, giving you the advantage of seeing the person at the door without them knowing it. Most are designed to fit in exterior doors 1 3 / 8 to 2 inches thick. You can buy them at home centers and hardware stores in the door security hardware section or find them online by searching “door peephole viewer.”
A handyman will charge $42 to install a door viewer, but you can buy the device for $20 and install it yourself, saving 52 percent.
Admittedly, cutting a hole in your front door can be intimidating, but any homeowner who takes the proper care can do it. The key is to follow the instructions about locating the peephole so it’s at a comfortable viewing height and on how to install the device.
Pro Cost: $42
DIY Cost: $20
Pro Time: 0.3 hours
DIY Time: .08 hours
DIY Savings: $22
Percent Saved: 52 percent