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How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor modern. Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles add to the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps. You need to locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Check whether the latch works before tightening the set screws. After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system 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 a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. This will match their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate. While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm. Latch The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes. Depending on the kind of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is called a “magic button”. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism. If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off. Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. repairmywindowsanddoors will need to store these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside. Now you can start on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed. Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher 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, you may be able to just screw the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb. Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one. This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.