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 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 the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a few steps. You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob. Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws. Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated using the forearm of a person. Latch The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes. Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch may be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will be used. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy especially if the door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism. If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off. Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe place to be able to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside. Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut. Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb. Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to just attach the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb. Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. https://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk/braintree-windowrepair/ comes with wood screws and machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.