Cutting a doorknob hole can be daunting, especially if you’re doing it alone for the first time. Of course, it requires skills and outstanding hand-to-eye coordination to cut the precise holes that fit the dimensions of the doorknob.
So with this being said—how do I cut a doorknob hole?
You have to cut two holes for a doorknob or lockset — the primary hole is where the spring mechanism is installed, while the smaller second hole is where the locking barrel is placed.
In today’s article, I will explain the proper procedure of cutting holes in a doorknob to give you a precise measurement of the depression so it would work perfectly.
What Size Hole Do I Need To Drill For a Doorknob?
The size of the door hole that you have to cut depends on the doorknob’s dimensions or the lockset you will install on your door.
Position the base of the knob where you plan to place it and trace it using a pencil.
But to give you an idea about the measurement, the recommended standard size of the hole is 2 1/8 inches.
You also have to consider an allowance of 2 3/8 inches to 2 ¾ inches from the center of the hole to the side edge of the door.
How To Choose the Correct Doorknob?
Measurements
The first thing that you have to consider is the measurement of the doorknob and borehole.
As discussed in the earlier section, you need to take note of the measurement lockset because the borehole will depend on which variety you are buying.
Type Of Lockset
The type of doorknob depends on the specific functionality you are looking for, and it includes certain features like the security setting of the lockset.
The following are the most common types of locksets:
- Passage Doorknob – this is the most typical type of doorknob, which include a turn-to-unlock or latch mechanism.
- The privacy Doorknob is very similar to the passage doorknob but has extra security where a small button locks the passageway indoors.
- Dummy Doorknob – as the name suggests, doesn’t have any mechanism. Its primary purpose is to make easy access to a specific vicinity.
- Keyed Doorknob – if you have the budget and have a techie household, you can opt for a lockset with more high-tech security features.
Design Of the Doorknob
The design of the doorknob depends on your personal preferences, which should consider the door’s style and the room’s interior design. Some examples of the styles you have to bear in mind are as follows:
- Rustic Doorknob – these locksets have a bronze or brass finish.
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- Antique Doorknob – these locksets have a faded finish and are typically made from metal, glass, or even porcelain.
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- Classic/Industrial Doorknob – these locksets are typically seen in any home. It has a rounded design that is made of metal or stainless steel.
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Cost of the Doorknob
The last factor you must consider is the doorknob cost by your budget. The average price of the lockset ranges from $5 to $20.
However, more premium ones could cost up to $500.
How to Cut a Doorknob Hole Step by Step?
The process of cutting a borehole on your hole might seem a difficult task. However, assistance from a professional carpenter is not a necessity if you have the skill and tools needed for the task. In addition, it will save you money from labor.
So how do you cut a doorknob hole? Below is a step-by-step guideline on the subject matter.
What Tools Do You Use to Make a Doorknob Hole?
Before we move on to the cutting process, it is important to discuss firstly the tools you will need to make a doorknob hole, which includes the following:
- Hole Saw Bits
- Chisel
- Pencil
- Screwdriver
- Pocket Hole Jig
- Drill/Driver
How to Cut a Bore Hole to Your Doorknob?
Cutting a borehole is relatively straightforward but requires a lot of patience and attention to detail to put them together correctly.
And below are the steps you have to take to cut a hole in your doorknob properly:
- The first step is to trace a line perpendicular to the edge of the door’s side where the doorknob will be placed.
- As emphasized earlier, the standard measurement of the bore hole is approximately 2 1/8 inches. And then, the center of the hole should be 2 3/4 inches to 2 3/8 inches, depending on the measurement provided in the package of the lockset.
- Afterward, drill the measurement you’ve traced using a drill/driver.
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- You may also have to add an allowance of 1-inch diameter in both the borehole and the spacing from the edges to the center of the hole to ensure that they’ll fit perfectly.
- Use a pocket hole jig to properly align the hole’s spacing and allowance between the edge and center of the borehole.
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- After drilling the holes and aligning them accordingly, you will need to chisel the edges of the hole where you will mount the doorknob plates.
- Put together the doorknob and latching/locking mechanism, then screw them tightly so they don’t wobble when you turn the knob.
The step-by-step process provided in this article is the standard guideline you must follow if instructions are not present in the packaging of the lockset.
However, you must consider the package instructions if the manufacturer provides them.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do You Cut a Hole In a Metal Doorknob?
Trace the dimensions of the doorknob you have purchased and make an allowance of 2 3/4 inches to 2 3/8 inches from the center of the borehole to the edge of the door sides.
But the standard measurement of the bore hole is approximately 2 1/8 inches.
Do All Doorknobs Fit All Doors?
You have to remember that all doorknobs are universal. Therefore, you must take note of the measurement of the lockset before you shop for any doorknobs.
