How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a key 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 signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps. The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle 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. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws. After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws. Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate. Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles including ones that can be operated with a person's forearm. Latch The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make 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 itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle. If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off. Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with sharp tips in a safe location so that you can reuse them later. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside. Then https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/caterham-windowrepair/ can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws. Strike Plate It is typical to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut. Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb. Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. It usually requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate was designed to be used with antique rim locks, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.