Don't Make This Silly Mistake You're Using Your Replacement Door Handles 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 up to date.

Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and allow you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure 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 hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.

Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles . Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn't have this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip You will be required to keep them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

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 hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer better security for your door and will keep it closed.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.


It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case Be careful not to cut too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new strike plate, which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.