How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern. Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or 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 can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a few easy steps. You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob. After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and check to ensure that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, place the latch rod over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws. Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. This will match their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated using the forearm of a person. Latch The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes. Depending on the kind of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it could 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, especially when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little 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 doesn't have this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off. Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place. Now you can start 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 on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws. Strike Plate It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide greater 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 try to latch it. If https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/enfield-windowrepair/ is lower than your strike plate 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 may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. You might be able to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws that come 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, you must be cautious not to chisel too much or you may ruin the integrity of your 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 the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one. This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.