How to Replace Door Handles

patio door handle Handles For Double Glazed Doors are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor up to date.

Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.

composite door handles Knobs

Door handles add to the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole through which you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

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

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

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose 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. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues in the creation of new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. Changing out the old latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is the one you'll have to press to pop the latch out of the upvc handle window.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip and you'll 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 the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert 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 in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downward 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 will keep your door shut.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than 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 has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

You may be able simply to screw the new strikeplate into the existing one using the screws that come with it, based on the door you have. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new strike plate which will give the lock a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate in the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.