How to Fit a Rim Lock

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Rim locks are mounted on the face of a door rather than being recessed into its edge. This makes them a popular choice for traditional interiors, period properties and doors where visible ironmongery forms part of the design.

This guide explains how to choose, position and fit a rim lock and compatible door knobs. Installation details vary between products, so always check the instructions and measurements supplied with your chosen lock before drilling or cutting the door.

Table of Contents

• Before You Begin
• Tools and Parts Checklist
• Choose the Correct Rim Lock
• Remove the Existing Hardware
• Repair and Prepare the Door
• Position and Mark the Rim Lock
• Drill the Spindle and Keyhole Openings
• Fit and Align the Keeper
• Choose and Fit Rim Lock Door Knobs
• Paint and Reassemble the Door
• Test the Installation
• Related Rim Lock Guides
• Frequently Asked Questions

Before You Begin

Read the instructions supplied with the lock and inspect the door before starting. The timber must be sound enough to hold the fixing screws, and there must be enough clearance between the door and frame for the lock case and keeper.

Secure the door so that it cannot move while you work. Check carefully for glazing and any concealed fittings before drilling. Wear suitable eye protection when drilling, cutting or sanding, and control dust when working on old paint or timber.

If the door is historic, badly damaged, unusually thin or hollow, professional repair or reinforcement may be required. Do not modify a certified fire door unless the proposed lock, hardware and installation are compatible with the door’s certification.

Tools and Parts Checklist

The exact tools required will depend on the lock and the condition of the door, but a typical installation may require:

• A suitable rim lock and keeper
• A compatible rim lock door knob set
• Tape measure, pencil and combination square
• Bradawl or marking tool
• Drill and suitable wood bits
• Hand screwdrivers that fit the supplied screws correctly
• A sharp chisel and mallet, if the keeper requires a rebate
• A backing block to reduce breakout when drilling
• Suitable timber repair materials, where required
• Sandpaper and appropriate personal protective equipment

Choose the Correct Rim Lock

Start by checking the lock’s dimensions against the available space on the door. Pay particular attention to the backset—the distance from the door edge to the spindle centre—and the position of any keyhole or privacy control.

Some rim locks are manufactured in separate left- and right-handed versions, while others can be reversed. Handing conventions can vary, so do not rely only on which side the hinges appear to be on. Follow the diagram or instructions supplied with the exact product.

Consider how the room will be used. A latch-only model may suit a room that does not require privacy, while a key-operated or bathroom rim lock may be more appropriate for a bedroom or bathroom. These products are primarily intended for internal doors and should not be treated as the main security lock for an external entrance door.

Browse our collection of rim locks and door knob sets, or read our guide to rim lock handing and reversible locks.

Remove the Existing Hardware

Before removing anything, photograph the existing installation and note the position of each component. This can be helpful if you need to compare measurements or reinstate part of the original arrangement.

Use the correct Allen key or screwdriver to loosen grub screws and remove the existing handles, knobs or privacy furniture. A hand screwdriver gives better control when working with old or decorative screws. A powered driver may be used carefully where appropriate, but stop if a screw begins to slip or the head starts to deteriorate.

If you are removing a mortice latch or sash lock, undo its faceplate screws and withdraw the case carefully from the door edge. Remove the existing strike plate from the frame and keep all loose parts safely together.

Repair and Prepare the Door

Inspect the fixing holes, spindle opening and any cavity left by the old lock. Small screw holes may be repaired with a suitable timber filler, following the manufacturer’s mixing, application and curing instructions.

A large mortice-lock cavity may require a properly fitted timber insert rather than filler alone, particularly where new screws must grip close to the repair. Ask a competent joiner to assess significant damage or a historic door.

Allow every repair material to cure fully before sanding. Sand the repaired area carefully until it is level with the surrounding timber, taking care not to alter the shape of mouldings or panel edges.

Position and Mark the Rim Lock

Choose a comfortable operating height and position the case over sound timber. On a framed or panelled door, avoid fixing too close to panel edges, joints or glazing. Where several nearby doors are visible together, matching their existing handle height can create a more consistent appearance.

Hold the rim lock against the face on which it will be installed. Check that the latch faces the correct direction, the case sits flat and the keeper can align with solid timber on the frame.

Use the manufacturer’s template where one is provided. Otherwise, measure from the lock case to identify the exact centres of the spindle and keyhole. Transfer the measurements carefully and check them against the physical lock before drilling.

Mark the fixing holes with a pencil or bradawl, but do not fully secure the lock until you have confirmed the spindle and keeper alignment.

Drill the Spindle and Keyhole Openings

Select a drill bit that matches the clearance required by the supplied spindle. There is no universal hole size, so use the template or measurements provided with your particular lock and knob set.

Support the reverse face of the door with a backing block where possible. For a cleaner opening, drill partway from one side and complete the hole from the opposite side once the pilot point appears. This helps reduce splintering and breakout.

If the lock is key-operated, mark and form the keyhole according to the case and escutcheon supplied. Make the opening only as large as necessary and check that the key can turn without rubbing against the timber.

Drill pilot holes for the fixing screws using a bit appropriate for the screw and timber. Avoid overtightening, particularly when fitting decorative screws into hardwood.

Fit and Align the Keeper

Temporarily secure the lock case and close the door gently. Transfer the height of the latch and any bolt onto the frame, then position the keeper so that both parts enter it without binding.

Keeper designs vary. Some are surface-mounted, while others require a shallow rebate or additional clearance in the frame. Follow the instructions for the supplied component rather than automatically recessing it flush.

If a rebate is required, mark its outline with a sharp pencil or marking knife and remove small amounts of timber with a sharp chisel. Work gradually and keep your hands behind the cutting edge.

Drill pilot holes and secure the keeper temporarily. Test the door before tightening the screws fully. The latch should enter smoothly without needing to lift, push or force the door.

Choose and Fit Rim Lock Door Knobs

A dedicated rim lock knob set is normally the simplest option. These sets are designed so that the knob beside the surface-mounted case can be installed without an unnecessary rose, while the knob on the opposite face uses a rose plate.

Browse our collection of rim lock door knobs for compatible designs in a range of materials and finishes.

Check the spindle type and length before fitting. Some knob sets use a threaded spindle, while others use a plain square spindle secured by grub screws. Follow the instructions supplied with the knob set rather than assuming every product is assembled in the same way.

1. Measure the combined thickness of the door and lock case.
2. Adjust or cut the spindle only if the product instructions allow it.
3. Pass the spindle through the lock follower and check that it turns freely.
4. Fit the knob on the lock-case side according to the product design.
5. Position the rose on the opposite face and mark its fixing holes.
6. Drill shallow pilot holes without drilling through the door.
7. Fit the second knob and tighten its grub screw onto the flat face of the spindle where applicable.
8. Check that both knobs turn freely and that the latch returns fully.

For more detail, see our guide to choosing rim lock door knobs.

Paint and Reassemble the Door

If the door requires decorating, remove the lock and knobs after completing the trial fit. Painting around installed hardware can leave untidy edges and may allow paint to enter the moving mechanism.

Apply the appropriate preparation products, primer and topcoat for the door material and existing finish. Keep paint away from the spindle opening, keyhole and all moving parts. Allow the coating to dry and cure in accordance with the paint manufacturer’s instructions.

Refit the lock using the matching screws supplied. Use a correctly fitting hand screwdriver for final tightening to reduce the risk of slipping, damaging the screw heads or marking the finish.

Test the Installation

Test the completed installation several times with the door open before checking it with the door closed.

• Confirm that the knobs turn smoothly and return to their resting position.
• Check that the latch retracts fully.
• Confirm that the latch and bolt align with the keeper.
• Test the key or privacy control from the appropriate side.
• Make sure the door closes without being lifted, pushed or forced.
• Check that all screws are secure without being overtightened.

If the mechanism binds, stop and check the spindle, case and keeper alignment. Do not compensate for poor alignment by forcing the door or excessively loosening the hardware.

Related Rim Lock Guides

• Why Choose a Rim Lock?
• Rim Lock or Mortice Latch: Which Do You Need?
• Where to Fit a Rim Lock
• Are Rim Locks Reversible?
• Rim Lock Door Knobs Explained

Frequently Asked Questions

What tools do I need to fit a rim lock?

A typical installation requires a tape measure, pencil, square, drill and suitable bits, hand screwdrivers and a bradawl. You may also need a chisel and mallet if the supplied keeper requires a rebate. Always check the product instructions before starting.

Which side of the door should the rim lock case be fitted to?

The case is normally fitted to the room-facing side from which you want the mechanism to be visible and accessible. However, door direction, privacy requirements and product handing can affect the correct position. Check the lock diagram and our guide to where to fit a rim lock.

What height should a rim lock be fitted?

There is no single compulsory height for every internal door. Choose a comfortable position over sound timber, avoid panel edges and glazing, and consider matching the handle height of neighbouring doors.

Are all rim locks handed?

No. Some rim locks are supplied in separate left- and right-handed versions, while others can be reversed. Handing terminology can vary, so follow the instructions for the exact product.

Does the keeper always need to be recessed?

No. Some keepers are surface-mounted, while others require a shallow rebate or clearance cut into the frame. The correct method depends on the keeper supplied with the lock.

Do I need special door knobs for a rim lock?

You need knobs that are compatible with the lock case, spindle and door thickness. A dedicated rim lock knob set usually includes the appropriate spindle and a removable or single rose arrangement.

Can I fit a rim lock to a fire door?

Do not alter a certified fire door without confirming that the lock, associated hardware and fitting method are compatible with its certification. If you are uncertain, consult the door manufacturer or a qualified fire-door installer.

Can I use a rim lock on an external door?

The traditional rim locks discussed here are primarily intended for internal doors. They should not be relied upon as the principal security lock for an external entrance door. Use appropriately tested external-door hardware and check your insurer’s requirements.