How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles for bifold doors are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date.

Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your bi-fold doors handle (visit Marvelvsdc`s official website) will improve 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 has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations, you may think about a rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example some double glazed windows handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others 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 screws with sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, it means that the external door handles won't latch due to the fact that the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have You may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in place over the old one, using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new 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 to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.