How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles of your home are an important part of the design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.

Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement door handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of easy steps.

The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.

After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary style. This will match the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles for patio doors. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.

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 a big difference in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch may be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old upvc window handles latch, particularly when you have doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with a pointed tip in a safe 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 put it away.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware provided. 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 holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or isn't window locking handles properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays 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 lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door you have. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the frame of the upvc door handles. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks, and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.