Why We Do We Love Replacement Door Handles (And You Should Also!)

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor 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 appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.

The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Be sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs including ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used.  door handle repairs near me  to remove the old latch, especially if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is the one you'll have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip - you will have to store them in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on 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, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer more security for your door and keep it shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt 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 strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.

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