How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present. Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/biggleswade-windowrepair/ 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 variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps. The first thing to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole through which allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob. Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws. Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them. Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You may be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate. Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated with a person's forearm. Latch The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes. Depending on the type of knob you are using, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process to remove and replace. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you will need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle. If your handle does not have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off. Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a safe place so that you can reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the 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 with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided. Strike Plate It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, for example the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays shut. To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. You might be able to put the new strikeplate in the existing one using the screws included with it, depending on your door. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb. You could also try installing a new box strike plate that provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. You'll have remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.