Why Nobody Cares About Replacement Door Handles 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 up-to-date.


Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to change them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

Repair My Windows And Doors 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 handle designs. For instance, some can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch can be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's called 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 pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a small hole in them where you can slide your screwdriver into, while others snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip and you'll have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, 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 the existing one using the screws that come with it, based on the door you have. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.