The Insiders Guide to Replacing Your Kitchen Handles or Knobs.

OK so you've decided on replacing your kitchen handles, you unscrew the old ones and there you are, left with some rather annoying holes in your doors and drawers. So there's lots of handles out there, now you are wondering how to work out which will fit your existing holes!

There are two approaches here:

1. If you are replacing knobs.  Most knobs use a single screw/bolt therefore any other knob with a single screw will fit. Easy! One thing though - check that the old knob hasn't left a nasty footprint as you may wish to install a knob that obscures this footprint. If there is a footprint, make sure the base of the new knob will obscure this. If you're not sure check the dimensions on the new knob and see if the base width is specified. This measurement should be equal to or wider than the footprint of the one you are replacing, if not maybe order a sample or two first to offer them up and be sure.

2. If you are replacing handles. For this you will need a tape measure/ruler that measures in millimetres. Take off an old handle and measure the distance between the centres of one of the threaded legs and the other (this is important, do not measure an edge but from the centre of the legs). Alternatively you can measure the distance between the centres of the two holes on your doors/drawers (although this is a little less accurate as the holes may be a bit bigger). Chances are you will have a standard size. Sizes go as follows: 32mm 64mm, 96mm, 128mm, 160mm, 192mm, 224mm, 320mm and 448mm. Then from there on the sizes vary and go up to a metre and more with bar handles.

So, how the heck do I find one that fits?

I thought you'd never ask. Well you need to find a website or local retailer that lists its handles by hole centres as well as design so you can find the perfect ‘look’ and fit. Be completely sure that you are ordering something that will fit before you buy.   If you have a hole centre measurement you can't find any matches for your only real option is to go for a handle with a back plate (search for 'back plate' on a handle website) or a handle with a large enough footprint to cover the existing holes like a strip bar handle (search for 'strip bar handle'). Alternatively if you have painted doors then you can always fill them (with wood filler) and touch the paint up, then re-drill.

I hope that information helped make your job easier.