It's Time To Forget Replacement Door Handles: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need It

How to Replace Door Handles

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

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some 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 slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.

After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put 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 the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs, such as ones which can be operated by a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will apply. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what's known as a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.

Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip - you will need to keep these in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior 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 handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it using 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 mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays 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 it means that the door 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 may be able to install the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in an extremely thick.  door handle repair near me  includes wood screws as well as machine screws so you can choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.