How to Replace Door Handles

Door double glazing handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor to the present.

Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement Door Handles door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles for patio doors on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it correctly and test to see that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have family members who have mobility issues You may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated using the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds your door window handle replacement open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY task and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what's known as 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 come with this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed 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 small slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with an angled tip in a secure location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.

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

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.

To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then 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 over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

You might be able to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the integrity of your doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.