How to Replace Door Knobs and Deadbolts

Do you want to learn how to replace the door knobs and deadbolts in your home? Do you have mismatched door hardware? Or do you have several different locks in your home but want to have them all match the same key? The solution to all these dilemmas lies in this tutorial. Before you think you need to hire a locksmith, you should know that this is definitely a project for the do-it-yourselfer. Ready to get started?

Replace Door Knobs and Deadbolts

Before we begin, I have to tell you that this is a sponsored post for Schlage. I’ve had several door hardware companies approach me, but I’ve previously declined their offers because I chose to promote quality brands. When I install something in my home, it has to be top notch and high quality because I don’t have time to replace faulty products. When Schlage contacted me about replacing my knobs with one of their new finishes, I was excited to work with a brand that produces quality door hardware. However, I was skeptical of these new finishes. When it comes to fixtures in your home, it’s best to choose finishes that are timeless and classic. Case in point, we had no less than five different finishes and styles of door knobs in our house. All from different trends.

I always wanted to have them match, but never got around to that project. In my mind, I wanted beautiful matte gold knobs, but I expected Schlage’s new finishes to be too trendy. When I spotted the satin brass finish, I knew I’d found a classic finish that would work in our home.

Especially because I already have brass hinges on most of our doors. I recently found this out by stripped the paint off our door hinges. (You can read about 4 Ways to Strip Paint Off Metal if you need to strip your own hinges.)

Let’s get started with an easy knob to replace, the dummy knob.

How to Replace a Dummy Door Knob:

One of the easiest knobs to replace is a dummy knob. A dummy knob is usually screwed directly into a door. Typically they are used for opening a closet door or other one way doors.

Locate the screws on your dummy knob. Remove the screws from the knob.

Remove the knob.

Line up your new knob’s screw holes with the existing holes in the door.

Drive the screws into the door until the knob is flush against the door.

If your screwdriver won’t fit, you can remove the knob by pressing a flat head screwdriver into the slot on the side of the knob. Simultaneously pull the knob off.

Set your screws into the door and then replace the knob. Enjoy your new beautiful satin brass knobs.

How to Replace a Standard Pass Through or Privacy Door Knob:

Pass through and privacy knobs are essentially the same except the privacy knob has a push button or turn knob to lock the door for privacy. They are typically used in bedrooms or bathrooms. Be sure to install your lock on the correct side of the door (inside the bedroom or bathroom.) And make sure the knob is unlocked during installation.

You can watch this quick video or read on to learn how to replace your door knobs in 5 minutes or less.

Locate the screws on one side of the door knob (usually on the locking side of a privacy knob.) Unscrew the screws.

When the screws are completely loosened, pull the knobs apart and out of the door.

Remove the latch. (If your latch has a latch plate, remove the screws to remove the latch.)

If the latch is hard to pull out, push from the inside with your screwdriver.

Look at the new latch. If your door doesn’t accommodate the rectangular latch plate, you can remove it by prying it off with a flat head screwdriver inserted into the corners.

Pry up the plate and rotate 90 degrees to remove.

Slide the round latch plate cover over the latch.

Insert the latch into your door, making sure the curved side of the latch faces the door jamb.

Slide the door knob into the door and through the latch.

Be sure that the locking mechanism is on the correct side of the door (inside the bathroom or bedroom.) The spindle of the knob will fit through the latch.

Line up the other knob with the screw posts on the knob already inserted. Thread the screws through the knob to temporarily hold the knobs in place.

To make the task of driving the screws easier, remove the knob. Press a flat head screwdriver into the slot on the side of the knob.

At the same time, pull the knob off.

Drive the screws into the knob rose until the knob is snug on both sides.

Press the knob back on.

Test your new door knob and admire its beauty.

How to Replace a Deadbolts and Handlesets:

Replacing your deadbolt and front door handleset is just as simple as replacing the other door knobs in your home. The only difference is you usually need to replace both the deadbolt and the handleset.

When we moved into our home there were four different keyed locks to our house but we only had one key to one lock. As I started to get quotes from locksmiths, I nearly choked. Some were over $200 to replace two locks. This was not in our budget. Luckily I received a suggestion from a friend to take the locks to a local locksmith and have all the locks re-keyed to match (assuming they were the same brand.) I decided to replace all the inferior knobs with Schlage locks and have them all keyed to match our front door Schlage handleset. All I had to do was either bring the key with the new locks to the locksmith or bring the existing lock and new locks to the locksmith and have them make keys and match all the locks. I paid less than $60 to have this done. Buying new knobs was a separate expense.

How to Replace Deadbolts:

Begin by locating the screws on your deadbolt inside the home. Remove the screws using a drill or screwdriver.

Pull the deadbolt out of the door.

If your deadbolt has a decorative rose, score the paint around the edges and gently remove it.

Remove the screws from the latch plate.

Set the new latch and latch plate into the door.

Put the new deadbolt and decorative rose in place. Level the rose and the logo on the deadbolt.

Adjust the deadbolt and latch until they both fit flush and level in the door.

Attach the interior side of the deadbolt to the exterior with provided screws. Your deadbolt should be snug, but don’t overly tighten the screws.

Attach the latch plate with the provided screws.

How to Replace a Handleset:

Remove the screws from the latch plate.

Remove the handle from the interior of the door by pressing a flathead screwdriver into the side of the handle.

Remove the door knob by removing the screws from the door knob.

To remove the handleset, use the flat head screw driver to pry off the screw cover.

Unscrew the handle screw using a drill or screwdriver.

Now you can wiggle and pull the handleset free from the door. Remove the latch. Insert the new latch into the door and attach with the provided screws.

Insert the new handleset through the latch. Adjust the handle screw to fit through the small hole in the door.

Remove the door knob (as shown earlier) and attach by threading the screws through the screw posts on the door handle.

Replace the door knob by pressing the button in with the flat head screwdriver.

And press the knob back in place.

Attach the screw to the lower portion of the handleset.

Press the new screw cover over the screw.

On the door jamb (or if you have double doors, the adjacent door) replace the strike plates.

Can I tell you how happy I am to have beautiful matching knobs in my home? They are all beautiful Schlage satin brass knobs. And, they look great with the existing brass hinges we have on all our doors.

The satin brass finish looks updated, but not odd with the age of our home.

I did have to change the kick plate for our side door to match the satin brass, but that was an easy install.

Do you feel ready to replace door knobs, handlesets and deadbolts in your home? I guarantee you can definitely accomplish this DIY job.

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post for Schlage. I was provided complimentary hardware and was compensated for my time and efforts to promote Schlage. I was not told what to write. All opinions are my own. I am particular about the brands I represent and will always let you know when you are reading a sponsored post.