How to Replace Door Handles

Door locking window handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor to the present.

Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement 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 come in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of simple steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and then verify that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek look. This can be matched with their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles including ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. The replacement door handles of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will apply. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with a pointed tip in a secure location to be able to reuse them later. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

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 faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door You may be able to simply attach the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the sash lock door handles a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to fix the strike plate in the door frame. You'll have remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Make sure to note that wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.