20 Myths About Replacement Door Handles: Busted

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home door handle repair near me. A new handle will bring your decor and space up to date.

Over time the knobs on your door handle repairs near me could become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home door handle repair near me.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier for you to open and shut them. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door Handle repairs hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is an easy DIY task and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process to remove and install will be used. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point You will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in 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 is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, 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 won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door depending on the door, you might be able to just install the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws that come with it. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right equipment for your task. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.