How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space 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 select the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a couple of steps. The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push 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 check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them. Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate. Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs, such as ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person. Latch The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes. Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle. If your handle doesn't come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off. The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip and you'll be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away. Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut. To check if https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/waltononthames-windowrepair/ is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb. It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, based on your door. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb. You can also try installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate in the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.