Door Hardware Guide: How to Choose, Install & Repair Hinges, Knobs & Deadbolts

Why Door Hardware Matters More Than You Think

Door hardware is one of those things you don't notice until it fails — a sticky lock, a squeaky hinge, a loose knob, or a door that won't latch properly. Beyond function, door hardware is also one of the most visible design elements in a home. Upgrading from builder-grade brass to brushed nickel or matte black can transform the look of an entire room for under $50.

This guide covers everything you need to know about door hardware — from choosing the right lockset to fixing common door problems.

Types of Door Hardware

Door Knobs & Levers

The most visible piece of door hardware. Available in two main styles:

• Round knobs — traditional style; less accessible for people with limited hand strength
• Lever handles — easier to operate; required by ADA for commercial applications; increasingly popular in residential use

Function types:

• Passage — no lock; for hallways and closets
• Privacy — push-button or turn lock on inside; for bedrooms and bathrooms
• Keyed entry — keyed lock; for exterior doors
• Dummy — non-functional; decorative only; for one side of a double door

Deadbolts

The primary security lock for exterior doors. A deadbolt extends a solid steel bolt into the door frame, providing far more security than a spring latch.

• Single cylinder — keyed on outside, thumb turn on inside; the standard choice for most exterior doors
• Double cylinder — keyed on both sides; provides extra security but is a fire hazard if you can't find the key in an emergency
• Smart deadbolt — keypad, fingerprint, or app-controlled; no key required

Door Hinges

The hardware that allows the door to swing. Most interior doors use 3 hinges; exterior and heavy doors use 3–4.

• Butt hinge — the standard mortised hinge; most common for interior and exterior doors
• Spring hinge — automatically closes the door; required by fire code for fire-rated doors
• Ball-bearing hinge — smoother operation and longer life; recommended for heavy or frequently used doors
• Concealed hinge (European hinge) — hidden when door is closed; used on cabinet doors

Door Closers

Hydraulic devices that automatically close a door at a controlled speed. Required by code on fire-rated doors; also useful for screen doors and high-traffic commercial doors.

Common Door Problems & How to Fix Them

Squeaky Hinges

Caused by metal-on-metal friction as the hinge pin rotates.

1. Open the door and tap the hinge pin up with a screwdriver and hammer
2. Remove the pin completely
3. Apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly, white lithium grease, or WD-40 to the pin
4. Reinsert and test

Door Won't Latch (Latch Misalignment)

The latch bolt doesn't align with the strike plate hole.

1. Close the door slowly and observe where the latch hits the strike plate
2. If the latch is slightly high or low: file the strike plate opening in the direction needed, or move the strike plate
3. If the latch is significantly misaligned: the door has shifted; check and tighten all hinge screws first
4. Replace short hinge screws with 3" screws that reach the door frame stud for a permanent fix

Loose Door Knob or Handle

1. Find the set screw (usually under a decorative cap or on the side of the knob)
2. Tighten with a hex key (Allen wrench) or screwdriver
3. If the screw hole is stripped: remove the knob, fill the hole with wooden toothpicks and wood glue, allow to dry, then reinstall

Hinge Screw Holes Stripped

The most common cause of a sagging door.

1. Remove the hinge and clean out the hole
2. Fill with wooden toothpicks or a wooden golf tee and wood glue
3. Allow to cure overnight
4. Trim flush and reinstall the hinge with the original screws
5. Alternatively: use longer 3" screws that reach the structural framing

Door Sticking or Binding

Usually caused by seasonal wood swelling, paint buildup, or hinge problems.

1. Identify where the door is sticking by sliding a piece of paper around the frame
2. Tighten all hinge screws first — a sagging door often sticks at the top corner opposite the hinges
3. If the door is swollen: sand or plane the sticking area; seal with primer to prevent re-swelling
4. If paint is the issue: strip and repaint with a thinner coat

Choosing Door Hardware Finishes

Pro Tips

• Match all hardware finishes throughout the home for a cohesive look — or intentionally mix for an eclectic style
• Use 3" screws in hinge and strike plate holes to anchor into the structural framing — dramatically improves door security and prevents sagging
• Lubricate locks annually with graphite powder or dry PTFE lubricant — never use oil-based lubricants in locks
• Replace all exterior locksets with the same brand for a single-key system
• Check door alignment seasonally — wood doors swell in summer and shrink in winter

Shop Door Hardware & Repair

Find everything you need to fix, upgrade, and secure your doors in our Door Hardware & Repair collection at ProFix Home Repair.