How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor up to date. Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps. You need to locate the spindle, or shaft 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 that hold the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole through which allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and then test to see that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws. After you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them. Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate. Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated with the forearms of a person. Latch The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple 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 a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism. If your handle isn't equipped with this magic 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 by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off. The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside. Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the inside 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, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws. Strike Plate It is common to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer greater security for your door and will keep it closed. To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the 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 the doorjamb. Depending on your door, you may be able to screw the new strike plate in place over the old one with the screws that come with it. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the strength of your doorjamb. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/highwycombe-windowrepair/ could also try installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one. This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and is made of sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.