The Replacement Door Handles Awards: The Best, Worst And The Most Unlikely Things We've Seen

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.

As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles add to the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can change them in just a few easy steps.

The first thing you need to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and then test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move, you may think about a rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example, some handle designs can be operated by an arm.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will apply. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not have this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and keep it closed.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it means 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 upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

You might be able to put the new strikeplate in the old one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door you have. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate in the door frame. You'll need remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember  how you can help  have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.