When to Replace a Door Knob
Door knobs are mechanical and they wear out. After years of use, knobs:
- Get loose and wobble on the door
- Spin freely without engaging the latch (broken spring or stripped mechanism)
- Have keys that won't turn or get stuck halfway
- Lose their finish, look corroded, or get dented
- Become hard to grip for older adults (a great reason to switch to levers)
- Just look dated — brass is no longer in style, you remodeled, etc.
Replacing a door knob is one of the simplest locksmith jobs we do. Most door knob replacements take 15-30 minutes per door, including testing and adjustment.
Knob vs. Lever — Which Is Right For You?
Traditional door knobs are round handles you grip and twist. They're classic and widely available, but they can be hard for people with arthritis, weak hands, or full hands (like carrying groceries) to use.
Lever handles are increasingly the standard for new builds and accessibility upgrades. They push down to operate, can be used with an elbow or wrist, and many homeowners find them more comfortable. Commercial buildings have used them for years for a reason — they're better ergonomically and meet ADA accessibility standards.
For Auburn homeowners aging in place, families with young kids or older parents, or anyone who's just tired of fumbling with knobs, switching to levers is often a great upgrade — same install cost as a knob.
Knob & Lever Brands We Install
- Schlage — F-series and B-series, residential workhorse, every finish you can imagine
- Kwikset — Affordable quality, SmartKey option, popular in newer Auburn builds
- Baldwin — Premium residential hardware with high-end finishes
- Emtek — Custom designer hardware for upscale homes
- Yale, Falcon, Defiant — Various other quality residential brands we install regularly
Types of Door Knobs & Levers
- Keyed entry — For exterior doors. Has a keyed cylinder.
- Privacy — For bathrooms and bedrooms. Locks from inside, has emergency unlock pinhole outside.
- Passage — For closets and pantries. No lock, just operates the latch.
- Dummy — Decorative only, no working mechanism. For closet pulls and inactive French doors.
Call (253) 796-8550 for door knob replacement in Auburn.
