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How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space up-to-date. Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few easy steps. The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out 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 a flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob. Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws. After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws. Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You might want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person. Latch The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. Changing out the old latch to fit the new handle is a simple DIY job and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes. Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In upvc replacement door handles , the same procedure to remove and install will apply. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what's called a “magic button”. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism. If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off. Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside. You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole 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 other screw holes in the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws supplied. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide more security for your door and ensure it stays shut. Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb. Depending on the door, you may be able to simply install the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. But, you may have 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 careful not to chisel too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb. Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one. This strike plate is specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware to suit your requirements. Just remember that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.