Step-by-step expert advice on how to replace an interior cylindrical door knob, from removing the old door knob to installing the new one. Also, advice for installing a security deadbolt.
The key to replacing an old door knob is to buy a new one that fits the existing holes in the door. Please see the Doorknobs Buying Guide. With this in mind, it pays to remove the old doorknob and take it with you when go to buy the new one (or note all the critical dimensions when buying online). If, for some reason, you can’t do this, gather this information:
• Type of lock—cylindrical, tubular, or rim
• Diameter of the cylinder and latch holes or the size of the rim
• Distance from the edge of the door to the center of the doorknob
• Thickness of the door
• Direction the door opens—inward or outward
Step-by-Step Techniques | Replace an Interior Door Knob
Some interior door knobs are held in place by screws and some are have a shank-release button that releases the interior knob so you can get to the mounting screws.
This video shows how to remove and replace the type of knob that is screwed in place.
To replace a door knob that has a shank-release button, first remove the old knob by pressing the shank button with a small screwdriver as shown in the illustration below. Then remove the mounting plate as shown in the bottom illustration—to do this, you usually have to unscrew one or two screws that hold it to the cylinder.
Next, unscrew and remove the latch assembly from the edge of the door. Once you pull out the latch mechanism, you’ll be able to remove the remaining knob and lock cylinder.
To install the new lockset, just reverse the process.
Installing or Replacing a New Deadbolt
A deadbolt can significantly add to the security of an exterior door. Replacing an existing deadbolt is a very easy job because the holes were To do this, you drill two new holes in the door—one in the face for the lock’s body and one in the edge to accommodate the bolt. For drilling the large hole in the face of the door, you’ll need a hole saw made for installing a door knob.
Deadbolts are packaged with templates that show the exact placement of holes to ensure a perfect fit.
Here is a well-made video by Lowe’s that shows available types of deadbolts and how to install a deadbolt successfully:
