How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor to the present.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. door handles are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance certain handles can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and it can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate piece or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small 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 does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip - you will be required to keep them 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 from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to just screw the new strike plate into place over the old one with the screws included with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.