How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. 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 indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right replacement door handle for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps. The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole through which allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws. Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate. Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors 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 considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance certain handles can be operated with a person's arm. Latch The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. 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 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. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite 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 have to press to pop the latch out of the handle. If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/canterbury-windowrepair/ are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off. Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place. You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied. Strike Plate It is common to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut. Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, 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 one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on the door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb. You can also consider installing a new strike plate, which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the frame of the door. You'll have remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with antique rim locks, and it's made from durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the correct equipment for your task. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.