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Step 1
Clean the door and the antique doorknobs. Wipe down the door with a slightly damp rag so that you are working with a clean surface. Wipe down the doorknobs as well, but they may need a more stringent cleaner. Research the material your doorknob is made with to find the most beneficial cleaning product so that you do not damage the knob. Wooden doorknobs may be best if oiled.
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Step 2
Look at the antique doorknobs you have purchased. See what kind of screws or nails are needed to attach the doorknobs to the door. The original screws may be with the doorknobs or you may need to buy new hardware. The hardware needed may be something you have to find in a specialty shop. Gather all of the tools you will need before you begin to install antique doorknobs, such as a measuring tape, drill, screwdriver, screws or nails.
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Step 3
Measure up 32 1/2 inches from the bottom of the door. This is the average height for a doorknob though you can adjust it to your preference. Often a door will already have had a doorknob previously, and reusing this area is preferable to using a new door and drilling new holes.
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Step 4
Drill new holes if the screw holes for the antique doorknobs do not match up with the previous doorknob holes. Fill the old doorknob holes with wood putty if the antique doorknobs do not cover the holes. Make sure to drill the right size holes for the screws you will be using.
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Step 5
Attach the doorknob to the door with the screws or nails it calls for. Center the antique doorknobs over the holes so that they are not crooked. Once attached, try the doorknob several times. Tighten the doorknob if it is too loose. You may also find that you need to attach something to the wall so that the doorknob does not damage it.
