How to Replace Door Handles

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

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle Replacement Door Handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles and hinges enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut bi-fold doors handles. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.

The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it correctly and test to see that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the double glazing door handles's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This will match their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handle replacements handles. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you are using, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need 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'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.

Now you can start on the new latch. Install 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 on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer more security for your door and will keep it closed.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to just attach the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.

This hard-to find 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. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.