How to Replace Door Handles

Door window handles for wooden windows are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.

Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles for bifold doors on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and allow you to open and close them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.

The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a 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 the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever style door knob, which require less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example, some handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to make room for 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 knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with sharp tips in a safe place in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking window handles properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the Patio Door Handle Locks, then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware for your requirements. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.