skip to main content

Replacing doorknob and trim for mortise lock

17 years ago

Hello,

I have mortise locks on all interior doors. Most of the hardware has been painted over, but the knobs are sort of an oil rubbed bronze look. I want to replace the doorknobs and the part that is afixed to the door. The home centers only carry bright brass. Do you know where I can find other finishes at reasonable prices?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (6)

Carol_from_ny
17 years ago
If you can get your knobs off the doors all you need do is put them in a pot of boiling water....a pot you are never going to use again....and boil them. The boiling water will soften the old paint and with a little work come off. It's cheaper than replacing them and it allows you to keep more of the original flavor of your home.
User
17 years ago
I'm with Carol. The original patina won't be boiled off either. Give one a try - see what you think.
Related Discussions
Interior Doors - 5 panel w/mortise lockset
Q
Comments (15)
just so I understand(and I make sure that there wasn't some crazy change in mortise locks between 1889 and 1922)...when you turn the doorknob, it just spins, but the latch-a-ma-bob doesn't go back into the door? If you take the doorknob off the spindle, you have a square spindle, and if you turn that, your latch-a-ma-bob goes back into the door? If the case is that you can turn the spindle and the latch moves, then the problem (I would think) is a contact problem between the doorknob and the spindle...at which point, you would need to inspect the spindle, the screws, and the doorknobs, all of which are pretty easy and cheap to replace (and fairly universal in size). *MY* problem is one piece of metal that breaks in the mortise itself, a tiny piece of spring steel. If I got industrious I could re-engineer it and fix them all--all my upstairs ones but one are broken. A previous owner went around this by putting barrel latches or hooks and eyes on the insides of the doors (which means the doors lock too, which is nice), so I haven't really worried about it. The doorknobs and spindles are fine, but the guts don't turn any more.
...See More
How change vintage locks to two-sided?
Q
Comments (4)
Thanks for replying! First of all, sorry for the disjointed original post. I posted it very late at night and should no better because it just barely made sense. I will take some photos next time I'm at the house working on it (we're currently not living in the house during the "meat" of our renovation but I go out every other night or so to work on it). I did find something from Van Dyke's that I think will work, that will allow me to have a thumb turn inside and a skeleton key on the exterior, but it's not cheap. Mortise locks are kind of a pain, huh? I can see why they came up with tube locks! This door project has definitely become a labor love. Between the lock issue and the fact that one side of it was so gunked up with layers and layers of paint (although it has been fun uncovering all the old colors, including the original color which is the most beautiful grayed light green) that I had no choice but to strip it. Then, while using the heat gun, I broke one of the panes of glass so now we have to replace that. And of course once I get it all painted I need to put privacy film on the windows (because a clear glass bathroom door is a little too much even for me). Wouldn't be worth it if I didn't really love the door and it's history but I do so it's a good project to keep my mind off the renovation!
...See More
Good source for crystal doorknobs?
Q
Comments (24)
Thank you so much everyone! aliris19, you used these on french doors and they work OK? We have a bunch of sets of french doors and I was not sure if I should use crystal knobs on them or not. countrygirl217 those are pretty but I will NOT be buying them after your review! Thanks mtnrdredux. I checked White Chapel but did not see any glass ones on there. Maybe I will have just the bathrooms lock, and the guest bedroom. The master has 3 doors to it (conservatory and double doors leading in) and I don't think I want all of those locking. Thanks palimpsest for clarifying what a mortise lock is. I don't think I want that, I don't want people being trapped in rooms or creating extra labor for people! Thanks nyc_sport. I am in love with the anthropologie ones, what scared me was that the one review said that the hardware was very hard to find. Since I don't know anything about the inner workings of door knobs, I was afraid I'd be unable to find it. Maybe I will order one and get it to my GC and see if he or his installers can just get the lock set if I can't find others I love as much that aren't mortise locks. It's crazy how all of these little decisions like door knobs turn into huge and complicated decisions! I'm so appreciative of everyone's help here!
...See More
Mortise door knobs in old house
Q
Comments (4)
Yes, you can replace only the trim. There is a square spindle that the knobs attach to. One source for new parts is: https://www.houseofantiquehardware.com/antique-door-knob-pair-of-round-brass I have found eBay to be a great source. Like: https://www.ebay.com/itm/323269685903
...See More
sombreuil_mongrel
17 years ago
Hi,
There's a good chance that the knobs are steel and were originally plated (brass or copper finish). With the plating worn off, the dark finish you are seeing is dirt and rust. If you soak the knobs in lacquer thinner and scrub with a wire brush or coarse steel wool, you may reveal the steel and remnants of the plating. Test with a magnet to determine ferrous metal content.
Lots of very cool knobs and plates are sold on ebay. Search for antique hardware, then refine by going under doors/door hardware section. The only thing to watch for is that the spindle/keyhole spacing is the same as your old locks. Occasionally, the spindle sizes vary, but mostly they are around 9/32 for interior doors.
Casey
sam_iam
Original Author
17 years ago
Great suggestions! Thanks!
ty_gardener
17 years ago
Twelve years ago when I moved into my old house I replaced the front door with a new doorknob and plate that I ordered from Van Dykes, at www.vandykes.com. It was the old kind of knob and plate with a keyhole, but the door had/has a bolt lock on it, so that is what we use to lock it! The old knob and plate was just too worn and used, even after cleaning it. The plating had come off.
User
17 years ago
Rejuvenation.com is another source for knobs and plates, too.

Related Stories

GREAT HOME PROJECTS New Hardware Gives Doors a Turn for the Better

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Get a handle on how to find the knobs, levers or pulls that will make your doors memorable

DESIGN DETAILS The Secret to Pocket Doors' Success

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Pocket doors can be genius solutions for all kinds of rooms — but it’s the hardware that makes all the difference. See why

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Upgrade Your House With New Interior Doors

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Enhance your home's architecture with new interior doors you'll love to live with every day

CURB APPEAL 77 Front Doors to Welcome You Home

By Annie Thornton

Crossing the threshold is an event with these doors in a gamut of styles

LIFE How Your Landscaping Can Keep Burglars Away

Prevent home break-ins with strategic landscaping and good practices instead of menacing — and maybe less effective — measures

MOST POPULAR 11 Reasons to Paint Your Interior Doors Black

Brush on some ebony paint and turn a dull doorway into a model of drop-dead sophistication

DOORS Know Your House: Interior Door Parts and Styles

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

Learn all the possibilities for your doors, and you may never default to the standard six-panel again

REMODELING GUIDES Pocket Doors and Sliding Walls for a More Flexible Space

By Laura Gaskill

Large sliding doors allow you to divide open areas or close off rooms when you want to block sound, hide a mess or create privacy

SELLING YOUR HOUSE 10 Low-Cost Tweaks to Help Your Home Sell

By Lurdes Abruscato

Put these inexpensive but invaluable fixes on your to-do list before you put your home on the market

HOUSEKEEPING What's That Sound? 9 Home Noises and How to Fix Them

By Mitchell Parker

Bumps and thumps might be driving you crazy, but they also might mean big trouble. We give you the lowdown and which pro to call for help

Sponsored

More Discussions

1920 house: Before and After kitchen - long! Lots of pics!

27

When are home renovations no longer worth the investment?

9

front refresh ideas

4

Bungalow Small Kitchen Design-thought I had it, now I’m wavering!!

2

Exterior Update to Tudor style house

2