How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor up-to-date.

Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indications 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 close doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not have this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with sharp tips in a secure location to be able to reuse them later. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.

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 using the hardware supplied. 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 is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old upvc window handles strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to install the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the upvc chrome door handles frame. You'll have remove the previous 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 comes with 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. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.