How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor to the present.

As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available 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 change them in just 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 tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod for latching over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your brompton carry handle does not have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that 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 of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking window handle properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and will keep your sliding patio door handle replacement shut.

To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

You might be able to install the new strikeplate in the existing one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the patio door handle replacement and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.

This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.