How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you pick the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles and hinges on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and allow you to open and shut them. They are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, place the latch rod in position over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may think about a rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY project and can make a big difference in the way your aluminium door handle opens and closes.

Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch may be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, the same process to remove and install will apply. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle does not have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can put your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. After the screws have been removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. 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 on and secure it using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door double glazed window handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have, you may be able to simply install 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 a bit of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.