How to replace window handlesDoor Handles Victorian Handles

The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.

Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace window handles them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a few steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take off the sliding door handles knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and then test to see that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.

Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated using a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny 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 doesn't have this button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip - you will have to store them in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.

Now you can start on 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 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, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and 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 won't latch. 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 have depending on the door, you might be able to install the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the door frame. You'll need remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.