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How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present. Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the right replacement door handle for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier for you to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or simply require an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps. You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. 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 knob and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws. Once you've replaced the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place 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 people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate. While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated with the arm of a person. Latch The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from age and use. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes. Depending on the type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what's known as a “magic button”. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism. If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off. Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point 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 door's hole and place it in a safe place. Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on 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, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws. 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 incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example the strike plate being too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and will keep your door 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, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb. You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one using the screws included with it, based on the door. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb. upvc replacement door handles 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. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have 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 was made to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Be aware that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.