Anyone can easily replace interior door knobs, regardless of whether they are too stiff, too loose or just plain out of style. With a few basic tools and the instructions in this article, you can begin removing screws, replacing mounting plates, and modifying housings to fit the new handle.
Steps
Step 1. Get a replacement knob
Aside from the aesthetics, look for a sturdy product that is able to withstand prolonged use for a long time. Also take into consideration the environment in which you have to mount it: the bedroom, the bathroom or a closet. A security lock may be required; In addition, if the other doors in the house have lever handles, you must purchase a model that mounts to the left or right depending on the direction in which the door is opened. Buy a replacement that has the same latch.
Step 2. Remove the two screws securing the mounting plate
Rotate them counterclockwise to take them out.
Step 3. Unscrew the two screws holding the knob plate
The handles on both sides of the door detach, so be prepared for them to fall off.
Step 4. Pull the two knobs on the sides of the door to disassemble them
Step 5. Push the fixing plate and deadbolt out of the opening
Step 6. Loosen the two screws on the mounting plate and remove the mounting plate
Step 7. Some handles are equipped with interchangeable external plates
If so, you can pry the existing one out with a flat-blade screwdriver. Choose a plaque that fits the door opening.
Step 8. Measure the new mounting plate and deadbolt mechanism according to the holes in the door and jamb
Step 9. Use a hammer and chisel to modify the opening on both the door and the jamb if necessary
Step 10. Push the new latch mechanism and face plate into the door
Make sure the mechanism is facing the direction the door closes, then with the angled part engaging the retaining plate. Hand pressure should be sufficient; however, it may be necessary to enlarge the hole with the drill. Alternatively, you can put a block of wood against the face plate and tap it with a hammer. The black sheath you see in the image can be useful as an additional thickness, in case the mechanism has too small a diameter.
Step 11. Screw in the locking mechanism making sure it is as level as possible
Step 12. Insert the handles so that the square pegs snap into their respective openings and the screw holes line up with the threaded cylinders on the other side
Check that the handles and lock are facing the correct direction.
Step 13. Insert and tighten the screws that secure the knob
Step 14. Mount the mounting plate
Step 15. Check that all elements work and fit together perfectly by making corrections
Advice
- Sit on a stool or low chair to make it easier to work at these heights, especially if you have to use the chisel; a heavy object or a doorstop is also useful to block the door itself.
- If the old wood screws have ruined the material and the new ones are no longer gripping, fill the holes with body putty or drywall putty. Wait for the compound to dry, drill a pilot hole and insert the new screws.
- Read also the instructions that are in the packaging of the replacement knob; there may be specific indications for the model you bought.
- If the old fixing plate is in good condition and fits the new knob, you can simply leave it where it is; it is an element that does not suffer too much wear or that attracts a lot of attention.
- You can use a rotary tool with a sharp tip, such as a Dremel, to remove excess wood and modify the housings inside the door, but you must proceed with great caution; however, a hammer and chisel allow for faster, safer and more precise work.
- Once you have tightened each pair of screws, try to tighten them all one last time. It can happen that one loosens a little while you screw the others, but you have to be careful not to tighten them too much, especially those that fit directly into the wood.
Warnings
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Be careful not to lock yourself inside!
- Wear safety glasses while working with the chisel or rotary tools. Follow the instructions in the manual and keep fingers, long hair and loose clothing away from the moving machinery.
- Proceed slowly as you remove the wood, it is easier to remove a little at a time than to do some patching.
- Check that the knobs are securely attached and that they work on both sides before closing the door!
- Respect the basic rules of safety when using the chisel: never point it towards your hands, make sure it is always sharp and of the right size. Don't use this tool if you don't know how.
- Most interior doors have a hollow core, which means there isn't a lot of material you need to work with. For example, if the bolt is too long, you need to drill out some wood, so proceed with great care: make sure the measurements are correct before cutting.
