Adding Home Security is Easy - Intercom-to-Video Doorbell Installation Guide

If you want to install a video doorbell to add more security to your home but you have old, large intercom system (such as NuTone), read our tips below to get started.

This post is to provide you with all the information you need to cover an intercom speaker hole that's much larger than the Ring doorbell (or other video doorbell you would like to install).

Note: 

• Steps are provided as a courtesy to help you understand how to mount a video doorbell to a back plate (sold by Kyle Switch Plates) that covers a larger opening from an old doorbell intercom speaker).
• Always adhere to the installation instructions provided with the video doorbell itself.
• Simply modify installation by attaching the video doorbell unit to the cover plate instead of the side of your house. 
• The cover plate will be what attaches the doorbell to your old, empty intercom box.
• See photo example here:

STEP 1: PURCHASE YOUR VIDEO DOORBELL

Select and purchase a video doorbell unit (examples: Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Video Doorbell 3, Ring Video Doorbell Elite, etc.).

Open the box & read all of the provided installation instructions thoroughly.

Make sure you understand clearly how the doorbell unit is installed.

Note whether it is external (older models) or recessed (newer models) when mounted. And, determine whether you'll be wiring it in or using it wirelessly.

Note how the different video doorbell models will be mounted to different types of back plates:

STEP 2: REMOVE OLD INTERCOM

Now, remove the intercom speaker completely from the box. If your new doorbell is a wireless version, cap off any wires.

You may have a NutTone, TekTone or another vintage brand. It doesn't matter which you have so long as you note where the screw holes are on the box once the cover has been removed.

If your particular model has an extra mounting ring (like the one shown below), remove that as well.

STEP 3: MEASURE THE BOX

You'll need to cover the old box & install the smart doorbell onto the new box cover.

There are many different sizes of covers, with different screw hole spacings.

In order to select the correct cover on our website, you'll need to get some specific measurements from the box.

Read through all the steps we've provided below before purchasing a cover plate!

First, measure the height and width necessary to cover up the box (without leaving any of it exposed).

Note if there are any obstructions that would prevent a full-size cover from fitting, such as elevated brick or stone siding.

If this is the case, measure the largest area in which a cover will actually fit.

Find the 2 openings for the screw holes where the new cover will be attached to the box. They may be on the sides (horizontal mount) or at the top & bottom (vertical mount).

Measure from the center of one screw hole straight across to the center of the other screw hole. The distance should be one of these:
3.281" (3-9/32")
3.75"
4.5" (popular spacing)
5.25" (popular spacing)
6.625" (6-5/8")

You should now have these important dimensions:

1. Empty Box: width and height.
2. Obstruction: width and height (if any).
3. Screw Holes: orientation & spacing apart.

STEP 4: SELECT A COVER

Now, you can narrow down which cover is right for your situation (based on the key information gathered in Steps 1-3 above).

Again, review the installation instructions for your doorbell model.

You will select from 3 types of covers (keep in mind, each type comes in a variety of sizes and varying screw spacing options):

• (A) surface mount wireless model (most popular style)
• (B) surface mount hard-wired model
• (C) recessed video doorbell model

A - If the Doorbell is Surface Mount & Wireless:

Popular examples: Ring Video Doorbell, Ring Elite, Ring Video Doorbell 3 Plus, Ring Doorbell Pro.

Get a blank intercom cover that has 2 screw holes (to align with your box) and no other cutouts. You will drill holes into the cover that align with the camera's bracket. (Just as you would drill holes to install into the side of a house. See Step 6).

We have 2 sizes with many screw spacing options available:
6.4" x 4.5"
7.5" x 5.5"

Available blank plate for wireless units:

Smaller Covers (6.4 x 4.5):

6-3/8" x 4.5" Wireless with 4" Vertical Screws

6-3/8" x 4.5" Wireless with 4.5" Vertical Screws

6-3/8" x 4.5" Wireless with 5.25" Vertical Screws

Larger Covers (7.5 x 5.5):

7.5" x 5.5" Wireless with 3.75" Horizontal Screws

7.5" x 5.5" Wireless with 4.5" Vertical Screws

7.5" x 5.5" Wireless with 5.25" Vertical Screws

7.5 x 5.5 Wireless with 6-5/8" Vertical Screws



B - If the Doorbell is Surface-Mount & Hard-Wired:

These plates have a centered, small round opening for the wires to pass through.

You will be drilling holes into the plate to align with the mounting bracket that comes packaged with your video doorbell (see Step 6).

Available sizes are:

Smaller Covers (6.4 x 4.5):

6-3/8" H x 4-1/2" W with Doorbell Wire Opening - 4.5" Vertical Screws

6-3/8" H x 4-1/2" W with Doorbell Wire Opening - 5.25 Vertical Screws

Larger Covers (7.5 x 5.5):

7.5" H x 5.5" W with Doorbell Wire Opening - 4.5" Vertical Screws

7.5" H x 5.5" W with Doorbell Wire Opening 5.25" Vertical Screws

A - If the Doorbell Recesses Into the Wall (Older Video Doorbell Models):

Recessed units need a cover with a large center opening.

These covers are 4-1/2" wide by 6-3/8" high.

Screw spacings are vertical and spaced 4.5" apart or 5.25" apart.

If your box is larger than 6-3/8" X 4.5", see step 5 below.

Order covers here:

Recessed Video Doorbell Cover with 4.5" Screw Spacing

Recessed Video Doorbell Plates with 5.25" Screw Spacing

STEP 5: ORDER GASKETS (IF NECESSARY)

If the new cover isn't large enough in size to completely hide the old box, add gaskets underneath the cover to seal the box.

Here, two our our triple-gang gaskets have been stacked underneath the plate. Cut as necessary to match the size of the box underneath the plate

Again, moisture gaskets are only necessary if the plate isn't large enough to cover the box opening. This is rare. Double-check your dimensions against our cover plates.

To review, note these 4 important things about our covers prior to ordering:

1. height and width (to cover box without hitting any nearby obstructions)
2. placement of screw mounting holes (vertical vs. horizontal; distance between them)
3. any cutouts needed (for recessed or hard-wired doorbell units)
4. are any gaskets necessary (if cover is smaller than edges of the box)

Use the links above to purchase the cover you need or shop all intercom doorbell speaker covers here.

We do all new sizes regularly which may mot have been listed above.

Once your order is received, continue with Step 6.

STEP 6: DRILL HOLES & MOUNT BRACKET

You will need to drill holes into the back-plate to align with the mounting bracket that was included with your video doorbell.

Drilling the back-plate to attach the doorbell's mounting bracket is the same installation process as if you were mounting directly to the side of your house.

It's just that instead of drilling into the stucco or paneling on your home (as you would if you didn't need the back-plate to cover the large intercom box), you will instead drill and mount the doorbell's bracket to the cover plate. It's easy!

Note the size of your new doorbell unit and locate the placement of the cover plate's screw holes. Depending on your situation, you may need to mount the doorbell off-center on the plate.

Snap the doorbell unit into the mounting bracket it came with and place it centered on our cover plate prior to drilling any holes. If the screw holes on the plate are blocked by the doorbell and bracket, look for a better spot on the plate to position the doorbell bracket.

When ready, drill holes into the plate and attach the bracket.

You will need to add hex nuts to the back of the plate to secure the screws that attach the bracket to the plate. These are not included because different brackets may have different sizes of installation screw,. Be sure to buy nuts that fit the screws included with your video doorbell's hardware.

STEP 7: INSTALL COVER OVER BOX

Use the provided switch plate screws to mount our cover (with the installed video doorbell bracket) to your box.

Pull any wires through the plate's center opening (if you are hard-wiring the doorbell). Otherwise, properly cap off any old wires.

STEP 8: ATTACH VIDEO DOORBELL UNIT

Once the cover is securely installed to the box, continue to follow the doorbell's manufacturer instructions to attach the unit to the bracket.

STEP 9: COMPLETE INSTALLATION & SETUP

These instructions are for modifying the installation process in order to retrofit the smaller doorbell unit to a larger intercom box.

They are provided as a guide and a courtesy and do not cover every brand, size or type of doorbell unit.

Follow proper instructions for wiring + setting up your video doorbell.

STEP 10: SEND US A PICTURE (Optional)

We'd love to see the finished product! Send us a photo of your smart video doorbell unit installed on one of our custom-made intercom covers.

We also enjoy to see your "before" photos too. Here are a couple we've received so far:

Submit pictures to orders@kyleswitchplates.com

Or tag us with a post or story on Instagram @kyleswitchplates

Enjoy your upgraded video surveillance and the security it provide when someone approaches your door.