Fit a New Door Handle in 9 Steps

Installing a doorknob
  • 2-4 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 30-60
What You'll Need
Door handle set
Template
Striker plate
Tape measure
Combination square
Drill
Wood drill bits
Construction tape and pencil
Chisel
Hammer
Safety goggles or glasses
What You'll Need
Door handle set
Template
Striker plate
Tape measure
Combination square
Drill
Wood drill bits
Construction tape and pencil
Chisel
Hammer
Safety goggles or glasses

Whether you're building your own home or just doing some remodeling, you may end up having to install hardware on doors as part of the project, which means you may need to fit a new door handle. Follow the following steps to get a professional result, even with inexperienced hands.

Step 1 - Gather Materials and Mark Placement

Gather all necessary tools, including the door handles of your choosing. Pick a type and style that matches your décor and is practical for your home. Once you've installed your new door handles, it can be a difficult process to replace them with a new set.

Measure for the height of the handle on one side of the door, then stretch the mark across the edge and to the opposite side using a combination square. Take into consideration the height of the other handles in your home to maintain consistency.

With the height marked on both sides, place the template supplied with your hardware over the marks one side at a time and transfer the appropriate markings to their proper locations.

Step 2 - Drill for the Handle Shaft

hands with drill cutting circular hole in door for doorknob

Choose a drill bit at least twice the size of the handle shaft and put on some safety goggles. Adopt a secure position and hold the drill steady as you go.

When you're almost through to the other side, stop drilling and finish the hole through the opposite side of the door. This will ensure the holes from both sides go straight through in perfect alignment.

Step 3 - Position the Latch

Determine the best position for your latch and mark it on the sash edge along the mark previously stretched across the edge.

Step 4 - Drill for the Latch

power drill drilling hole for door latch

Choose the correct spade bit by measuring the depth of the latch and the size of the latch body.

Wearing your safety goggles, adopt a secure position and drill a hole into the edge of the stile at the marked location, deep enough to accommodate the full length of the latch.

When you've created the hole, insert the latch up to the flange to trace its form onto the edge.

Step 5 - Cut Out the Latch Flange Recess

To create a recess into which the latch will sit flush with the door edge, mark the correct position of the latch flange lightly with your pencil. Then cut along the outside edges with a chisel and hammer, and chisel out the rest of the recess.

It's important to go slowly with this process so as not to make the recess too deep. Otherwise, the latch won't fit correctly. Check the depth periodically by placing the latch against the recess.

Step 6 - Secure the Latch

hand with screwdriver installing doorknob latch

Now secure the latch by screwing down the flange with the provided screws before proceeding to the next step. Mounting the latch well will help the handle operate smoothly, without any resistance and friction.

Step 7 - Connect the Handles

Insert the handle shaft into one of the handles and secure it. Then slide the handle into place through the latch, and attach it to the handle at the other side of the door. Test the handle to make sure it moves the latch correctly before securing the handles on both sides of the door.

Step 8 - Attach Latch Plate

You may want to use a level to get the latch plate straight, or you might be comfortable just eyeballing the outcome. Sometimes house lines aren't perfect, so use your judgment as to what looks best.

Step 9 - Install the Striker Plate

Swing the door into its closed position and mark the position where the latch will connect into the frame on the wall side.

Mark the latch positioning on the frame so you can drill a proper-sized hole. Then place the striker plate on top, trace out its contour and cut out a recess for the striker seat. Finally, secure the striker plate in place, making certain it aligns perfectly with the latch.

With all the tricky stuff behind you, test your final project for alignment and functionality.