Door Handle Replacement 101 This Is The Ultimate Guide For Beginners Door Handle Replacement

It's worth it to replace door handles if you don't like the way they appear, or if they're difficult to use. With some patience, you can get a new handle in no time.

Most modern door handles have cover plates that conceal the screws to give them a beautiful appearance. If your new handle doesn't have them already connected, you'll have to attach them separately.

Take off the handle from the old one.

The door handle isn't only a decoration for your home It's also a safety feature that allows you to lock and unlock the door. Over time the door handle can begin to lose its grip or feel loose. It could also begin to look worn out and old. This is a sign that it's time to replace the door handle.

One of the first indications that your door handle needs replacing is the fact that it is becoming difficult to operate. This is a serious problem because you won't be able to lock or unlock the door, which could put you and your family at risk.

Another reason to replace your door handle is if it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle can be extremely dangerous, particularly in the event that your children or senior family members have difficulty opening it and could get trapped inside. It's easy to replace a damaged handle on a door.

Most modern door handles are standard size and so they will fit on any door. If you're unsure if the new door handle you're buying will fit, try taking out the old one and determining the holes in its housing. This will help you purchase the right size door handle.

The most straightforward method to take off the handle from your door is to remove it from the door itself. This is typically done with the screw driver. Some door handles have an enclosure plate that hides the mounting screws. It is necessary to remove this to get to the screws. Once you have removed the old handle, make an outline of how the spindle is attached to ensure that you can be sure to align it when you install your new one.

You can also remove the door handle by removing the latch mechanism. This is usually done using an screwdriver however you'll need to locate the small latch, which should be at the edge of the trim piece. After taking off the latch, remove the handle and strike plate. Then remove the latch from the edge of the door.

Remove the Strike Plate

You'll have to replace your latch plate when you replace the handle. It's the part that holds the hole through which the door's latch hooks in when the door is closed. The package the new handles arrive with will offer two different latch plates - either a rectangular or a circular one (see the diagram above for the parts of the door handle). If you have an rectangular latch plate, replace it with an oval one. This will allow the latch to be able to hook onto the strike plate and make the handle more convenient.

The first step is to loosen the screw that is holding the latch plate that was previously in place. The screws are usually quite tight and require a fair amount of force to loosen them. It is helpful to have a second person assist with this task if you can.

After the screws are removed the latch should slide out of the door easily. If it's stuck or won't move, use a small nail file to scrape the edges of the latch plate. This can help loosen the plate.

Now you can prepare the new strike plate for installation. Utilizing the wood screws that were included with your new handles, attach the latch plate to the inside of the doorjamb. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this may cause damage to the strike plate.

If you are not sure whether the latch plate is in the correct position, close and open the door to determine if it latches and closes correctly. If it doesn't, you'll need to adjust the strike plate upwards or down, or move it forward or back until the door shuts and latches properly.

If the door continues to move or jiggles, you might have to enlarge your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more common on older doors. It can be caused by wear and tear hinges that are too small, a wrong size latch, or a damaged strike plate. If this is the situation, follow the same procedure to adjust the strike plate, but using a metal file instead of a chisel and hammer.

Removing the Latch

The latch is a curved metal piece which slides in and out of a hole in the inside of your door. The latch is moved forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into an opening in the frame of the door to keep your door closed. If your door wobbles when you close, replacing the latch could be the only thing needed to fix the issue.

It's difficult to identify the screws that attach the latch to the door, however there's usually a small hole on the trim plate that allows you to insert a screwdriver into the slot and pry it off. After removing the trim plate, you will be able to pull off the latch and the bolts that hold it in place and the spindle that holds it.

If the latch doesn't easily come out you can try using an old-fashioned paper clip or tool to release it from the handle mechanism. Insert the item into the slot for the latch that is recessed. gently turn or jiggle it until you feel the latch and handle begin to separate. It may take this several times before the latch is loose enough to let it out.

You should be able to slide the new latch into its slot with no issues after you've removed the old one. Make use of the new screws to secure the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure that it is correctly placed in the slot, aligned with the screw chambers.


Take note of the backset (the distance between the center of the large hole on the front of the door and the edge) prior to installing the new handle. Also, ensure whether repairmywindowsanddoors of the latch on the new handle is a good match to this measurement.

If you're replacing the handle or latch, or if your old lock cylinder is damaged then you'll require an entirely new one. If you're not changing locks the new lock will fit into your existing recess, and also work with the keys you have already. Pick a latch that has rectangular cover plates that match the handles you have.

Take off the cover plate

Door handles may begin to look shabby over time However, if you replace them with a contemporary lever-on-rose design, it's an easy and quick DIY and decorating project that will improve the overall look of your home. You can purchase complete sets that come with matching escutcheons and privacy adaptor kits.

To replace the door handle inside take off the cover plate (or rose), which covers the screws and inner mechanism. Utilize a flathead to take off the plate. It could have an opening on one edge or be secured by a pin.

Once the cover plate is off take off the screw that holds the inside handle in place, and then set it aside. You'll also need to remove the screws that are holding the latch and inner plates to the door, which you can accomplish by loosening them using a Philips screwdriver. Remove the inner plates and latch from the door. Place them aside.

Some doors don't have this gap. If yours does not allow for a handle, you'll have to make a hole into the door. The process for doing this is the same procedure for opening a door with a lock, but you'll be taking extra care not to damage the door or frame.

Installing new door knob screws is required after the holes have been made. Make sure you purchase the same size as the previous ones, so that you don't end up with an handle that is either too tight or loose. You'll also have to install an additional latch plate and strike rod that aren't part of most door handle sets.

If you're looking for a quality replacement for your interior door handle set, try the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome finish handle set. It is a factory-fit and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews. It's a great option to replace damaged or worn door handle hardware inside your Chevy HHR.