How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.

Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement door Handles for your home.

bifold door handles Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can replace them in a few simple steps.

The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you 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.

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

Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door handle repair near me hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated using an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the bifold door handle replacement, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer better security for your door and ensure it stays closed.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.

This strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware for your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.