How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.

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

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs or need an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, door handle repair near me it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and verify that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for the front door handle repair hardware to give their home a modern and sleek appearance. This will match the furniture they have. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Removing the old latch 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 will need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not have this magic button the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.

Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe place in order to reuse them later. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door lock handle repair's hole and put it away.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside 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 door handle repair near me handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide greater security for your Door Handle Repair Near Me and will keep it closed.

To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door handle repair plate and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have You may be able to just screw the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate in the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.