How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few easy steps.

The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a tiny 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 pull or push the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the external door handles and locks 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 for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those which can be operated by the forearms of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type 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 itself. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple particularly if your 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 pull the latch out of the handle.

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

The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a upvc door handles handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide better security for your door handle replacement and keep it shut.

Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the euro door handles, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have, you may be able to attach the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the sash lock door handles a more secure hold on the doors and require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the door frame. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.