How To Fit A Door Handle
Add the finishing touches throughout your home quickly and easily with our DIY expert Michael Puckey's help. A door handle is an essential element to any door anywhere, so learn how to fit one the VideoJug way.
Step 2: Choosing a door handle
Door handles and knobs come in a range of sizes and shapes. They all do the same job and are fitted in the same way. Choose one that compliments your decorating scheme.
HANDY HINT
When you buy your door handles check to see whether they come with a latch. This is often sold separately.
Step 3: Positioning the latch
You will need to fit the latch first. The latch is usually set into the middle of the side of the door.
Obviously the height of the latch determines the height of the door handle. The height should match that of all the other door handles in your home. This is usually about a metre, that's just over 39 inches, up to the bottom of the latch plate.
Measure the distance on the edge of the door and mark it with a pencil.
Then mark the middle of the door so that the two lines make a cross. Centre the latch on the cross that you have marked. Hold it in place and draw around it with a pencil.
Step 4: Choose the first drill bit
This bit will cut the hole that the latch fits into.
Choose a flat wood cutting bit that is slightly bigger than your latch so that there is enough room to fit the latch in the hole. Be careful that it is not too big as drilling too big a hole could ruin your door. Now fix the bit into the drill.
Step 5: Measure the depth of the latch
Hold the latch against the drill bit. Use the masking tape to mark the depth of the latch on the bit.
Step 6: Drilling the latch hole
Before you begin, remember drill safety. Put on your goggles. Make sure all loose items of clothing, jewellery and hair are tucked away. Clear the area of any potential hazards and find a steady standing position.
You may want to wedge the door open to help steady your drilling. Drill the hole into the side of the door to the depth that you marked earlier with the masking tape. Keep the drill level and straight. Apply a firm, even pressure as you work.
WARNING
Make absolutely sure that the drill bit does not stray from the centre of the door. There is little room for error.
When you have finished, blow out any loose wood chippings.
Step 7: Scrape out the debris
Use the chisel to scrape out any remaining debris.
Step 8: Mark the position of the latch plate
Insert the latch. Make sure that it is vertically level, and use a pencil to mark around its position.
Step 9: Chisel a recess for the latch plate
Before you pick up your chisel, remember your chisel safety. Make sure that you are wearing safety goggles and clear the area of potential hazards. Find a steady position and remember to watch your fingers when you do start chiselling.
Begin by making a series of cuts on the edges of your pencil outline. Now you need to chisel out the rest of the recess. Be careful, because if you chisel out too large a recess, it will be difficult to correct.
Keep checking the fit to see if the latch plate lies flush with the door.
Step 10: Mark the handle spindle
Hold the latch in position but on the outside of the door. Put your pencil through the hole and make a mark. This is where the handle spindle will go. Make sure you mark this on both sides of the door.
Step 11: Choose second drill bit
Choose another drill bit, to drill the hole for the handle spindle. It should be wide enough to give the handle spindle clearance. So choose a bit that is about 2mm, that's 1/16inch, wider than the spindle. Carefully attach it to your drill.
Step 12: Drilling for the handle
Remember your drill safety.
Using the marks you made, drill into both sides of the door, right into the latch hole. When the drill bit begins to emerge through the other side of the door, start drilling from that side. This will prevent the wood from splitting. You will find it steadier if the door is shut whilst drilling.
When you have finished drilling, clear out any debris by blowing into the hole.
Step 13: Test the handle spindle
Slide the latch back into the door. Put the handle spindle into its hole. Give it a twirl to make sure it turns freely. If it doesn't, take it and the latch out, and adjust the hole with a drill.
Step 14: Drill the latch into place
Before you begin remember your drill safety. Now drill each screw into place to secure the latch into position.
Step 15: Fix on the handles
Place a handle onto the spindle.
Remember your drill safety. Use one hand to hold the handle in place and with the other, carefully drill in the screws. Give the handle a quick test and then repeat the process on the other side.
Step 16: Mark the latch plate
The latch plate is the piece of metal that slots into the door frame. Close the door so that the latch touches the frame. Mark its position lightly with a pencil. This gives you the height of the latch on the door frame and therefore the height at which the latch plate should be fitted.
To find the horizontal position of the latch plate, measure the distance between the edge of the latch and the edge of the door. Transfer this measurement to the door frame and mark with a pencil at the height you marked. Draw in and around the latch plate.
Step 17: Cut a recess in the frame
Remember your chisel safety. Following your marks, use your chisel to begin cutting a hole for the latch. First cut around your pencil outline, then chisel out the recess. When you have done this, begin chiselling a shallow recess for the latch plate so that it fits flush with the door frame. Be careful not to chisel too deep a recess as this will be hard to undo. Keep testing the plate until it fits snugly.
Step 18: Drill into position
Remember your drill safety. Hold the plate up to the door and carefully drill the screws into position, fixing the latch plate onto the frame.
Step 19: Test
Give your new door handle a test.
