How to Install Door Push Plates

Swinging doors are common conveniences in pantries and laundry rooms, and a push plate will protect surface of a swinging door from fingerprints, dirt and other damage. A push plate is a thin piece of metal that is attached to the edge of the door at arm height. It keeps wear and tear to the door surface at a minimum. Push plates can be strictly functional or decorative, and they are usually made of brass, iron or bronze.

Step 1

Hold the installation template that came with the push plate to the desired location on the door 3/4 inch from the door edge. The instructions that came with the push plate may have recommendations for a comfortable mounting height -- usually 45 inches from the bottom of the door to the center of the plate. Hold the push plate directly to the door if you do not have a template. Place a small level across the top and sides of the template or push plate to ensure it is straight.

Step 2

Mark the locations of the mounting screws through the holes in the template or the push plate with a pencil.

Step 3

Remove the template or push plate from the door. Place the point of an awl or a nail over each pencil mark and tap it with a hammer to make a small indentation for the self-tapping mounting screws. Drill shallow pilot holes on the marks with a 3/16-inch drill bit installed into a power drill if you will be attaching your push plate with regular wood screws.

Step 4

Place the push plate over the edge of the door. Line up the mounting holes in the plate with the indentations or holes you made previously.

Step 5

Drive the self-tapping screws through each mounting hole and into the door with a Phillips screwdriver until they are tight. Use a Phillips bit installed into a power drill to drive in the screws more easily, if desired.