How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up to date.

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.

The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the 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 hands take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware for modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You might be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new window handle repair designs, such as ones which can be operated by the forearm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of 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 could be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your Bifold Door handles window handle upvc is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is the one you'll have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can slide your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip - you will have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the aluminium door handle's hole and put it away.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside 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 inside the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will give you better security and keep your aluminium door handles closed.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and 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 above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to just install the new strike plate in the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new strike plate, which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for your job. Be aware that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.