How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles of your home are an essential element of your design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.

Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement Door handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps.

You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws holding the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.

Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement the furniture they have. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may think about an rim lock or a lever-style door handle repairs near me knobs that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle repairs handle design, other factors are becoming more important too. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated with an arm.

Latch

The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it will make a huge difference in the way your double glazing door handle repairs opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door Continue... handle has what is called a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, [Redirect Only] apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, it means that the door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws included with it, depending on the door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.