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How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your design. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date.

As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.





The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism 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. Make sure repairmywindowsanddoors align it correctly and test to see that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.

Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. This will match the furniture they have. Some prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. Changing out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is an easy DIY task and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will be used. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

The next step is to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip and you'll be required to keep them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide more security for your door and keep it shut.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.