A broken doorknob can be a major inconvenience and safety risk for your home, especially if it is the doorknob for your front door. Whether you are looking to replace a broken unit or update the look and feel of your doors, it is important to understand how to replace a doorknob before starting any work. As a leading provider of quality door products, the team at Country Lumber knows that replacing a doorknob can sometimes be more difficult than it appears. That is why we have compiled some information to help you get the job done right.
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4 Steps to Replace a Doorknob
The exact steps required to replace a doorknob may vary based on the type of doorknob, lever, or handle being replaced. Exterior doorknobs are usually a bit more challenging to replace for the sake of added security, while interior doorknobs are typically easier to replace as they are often a cosmetic change. In most cases, the following steps will need to be completed to successfully replace a doorknob:
1. Remove the Old Doorknob
First, you will need to locate and remove the screws holding your current doorknob in place. While screws can be in a variety of different locations depending on the doorknob, they are typically covered by a plate that will need to be carefully removed. Once this plate is removed, you can then remove each screw with a screwdriver. Once the screws are removed, you will be able to pull the old doorknob off the door on each side.
2. Remove the Old Latch
With the old doorknob removed, you should be able to see the inner latch of the doorknob in the door. The latch is held in place inside the door by a plate, which can be removed by unscrewing the fasteners on the edge of the door. Once the plate is removed, you can easily slide the latch out.
3. Insert the New Latch
Before inserting the new latch and doorknob, be sure to inspect each unit and ensure that you are inserting them in the right direction. Some latches can be extended or recessed to better suit a door frame and not cause damage to a strike plate, so it is important to determine which type of unit you are working with. Insert the new latch into the slot at the edge of the door and screw the new latch plate in place.
4. Insert the New Doorknob
Your new doorknob will feature a piece for each side of the door. One of these pieces will have a spindle extending from it, so you will need to locate it before inserting the new doorknob. Push the spindle through the new latch, which can be seen inside the door. Assemble the other piece of the doorknob onto the open side of the spindle and use the provided screws to fasten the doorknobs together. If a cover plate was provided with your doorknob, fasten this in place to hide the screws.
To learn more about our selection of doors, doorknobs, or other products, get in touch with the team at Country Lumber. We can be reached through our online contact form and will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding our products or the details of your project.