How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor to the present.

As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select 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 come in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.

The first thing you need to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

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

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary style. This will match their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move, you may be interested in an rim lock or a lever-style upvc door handle repairs near me knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important too. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example certain handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out as time passes. The replacement of the latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind 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. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle repairs near me handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the patio door handle repair near me (dig this) hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and will keep it shut.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to just attach the new strike plate in the door over the old 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 snugly fitted. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. Typically it will require two longer 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 make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was designed to be used with antique rim locks and is made of durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.