10 Door Handle Replacement Tricks All Experts Recommend

Door Handle Replacement

Door handles appear to be a small detail but if you aren't happy with the way they look or find them difficult to use then it's time to replace them. With a bit of patience, you can put in a new handle in no time.

Modern door handles are equipped with cover plates that hide the screws to create a stylish appearance. However, you'll need to attach them separately if the new handle doesn't have them attached already.

Remove the old Handle

The door handle isn't just a decorative feature for your home, but it's also an element of security that allows you to lock and unlock the door. Over time, the door handle may start to lose its grip or feel a bit loose. It might also appear worn out and old. This is a sign that it's probably the time to replace your door handle.

One of the first signs that your door handle requires replacing is the fact that it is becoming difficult to operate. This is a serious issue since you won't be capable of locking or unlocking the door which could put your family and yourself at risk.

Another reason to replace the door handle is if it's damaged or broken. A broken door handle can be quite dangerous, especially if your children or elderly family members struggle to open it and end up trapped within. It's easy to fix a damaged handle on the door.

The majority of modern door handles are standard size and so they will fit on any door. If you're not sure whether the new door handle you're buying will fit, try taking out the old one and measuring its housing holes. This will allow you to purchase the correct size door handle.

The easiest method to remove the door handle you have been using is to unscrew it from the door itself. Usually it is a matter of using a screwdriver. Some door handles come with an enclosure plate that hides the screws that mount them. You'll need to remove this to get to the screws. After you've removed the old handle, take note of the way the spindle is attached so that you can align it when you fit the new one.

You can also remove the door handle by uncrewing it from the latch mechanism. This is usually done using a screwdriver but you'll need to locate the small latch, which should be at the edge of the trim piece. After removing the latch, unscrew the handle and strike plate. Then, remove the latch from the door's edge.

Removing the Strike Plate

When replacing the handle, you'll want to replace the latch plate, which is the hole that the door's latch is inserted into when it closes. The box that the new double glazed handles are packaged in will have two different latch plates: one that is rectangular and the other a circular one (see the diagram above for the parts of the victorian scroll door handles handle). If your current latch plate has a rectangular shape, switch it over to the round one, so that the latch hooks into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle easier to operate.

The first step is to unscrew the screw that's holding the latch plate that was previously in place. These screws can be quite tight and will require some force to loosen. If possible, it may be beneficial to have another person assist you with this task.

The latch plate should easily be removed from the door once the screws have been removed. If the latch plate is stuck or refuses to move, use a small hammer to scrape the edges. This can help loosen the plate.

Now you can prepare the new strike plate for installation. Attach the latch plate to the doorjamb using the wood screws that came with the new handles. Don't over tighten your screws as this could damage the strike plate.

If you're not sure whether the latch plate is in its proper position, close and open the door to see if it latches and closes correctly. If it doesn't then you'll have to adjust the strike plate upwards or down, or forward or back until the door closes and latches correctly.

If the door continues to move or jiggles, then you may need to increase the size of your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more common in older doors, however it can happen due to wear and tear hinge mortises that are too narrow or are not sized correctly for the latch, or from damaged or broken strike plate that is damaged or broken. If this is the case, follow the same procedure for adjusting the strike plate, using an iron file instead of an hammer and chisel.

Take off the Latch

The latch is an angled metal piece that slides in and out of a hole on the inside of your door. The latch is moved forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into the door's frame so that the door is closed. If your door is wobbling when you close it, an upgrade to the latch could be all you need to fix the issue.

The screws that hold the door latch are difficult to locate however, you can put a screwdriver in a small hole on the trim plate and pry the latch off. After you've removed the trim plate, it should be simple to remove the latch as well as the remaining bolts that hold the spindle and latch in the position.

If the latch won't release, try using the clip of a paper or tool to free it from the handle mechanism. Place the item into the recessed latch slot, and gently twist it or jiggle until you feel the that the latch and handle are beginning to separate. You may need to repeat this several times before the latch is loose enough to allow it to be pulled out.

You should be able slide the new latch into its slot with no issues after you've removed the old one. Use your new screws to secure the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure that it is properly positioned in the slot and aligned with the screw chambers.

Before you install the new handle, make certain to measure your existing backset (the distance from the center of the big hole on the front surface of the door to the edge). Also, ensure that the latch size on the new handle is a good match to the measurement of your existing handle.

If you're replacing the latch or handle, or if your old lock cylinder has been damaged, then you will need an entirely new one. If you're not replacing the locks, however, a new latch will fit in the existing recess and work just fine with your current keys. Be sure to select the latch with rectangular cover plates that match your handles.

Then remove the Cover Plate

Door handles can start to look shabby with time If you replace them with a modern lever-on-rose design, it's a quick and easy DIY project and decorating idea that will enhance the overall appearance of your home. You can buy complete sets that come with matching escutcheons as well as privacy adaptor kits.

The first step in replacing an internal door handle is to remove the cover plate or rose, which hides the screws and the mechanism within. Use a flathead for removing the cover plate. It could have an opening on one side or be held by pins.

Remove the screw that holds the interior handle and set it aside once the cover plate is removed. Remove the screws that secure both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them with a Philips Screwdriver. Take the inner plates and latch from the door. Set them aside.

Not all bi-Fold Doors handle have this gap. If yours doesn't allow for a handle, you'll have to make a hole through the door. The process for doing this is the same procedure opening a door using locks, but you'll need to take extra care not to harm the door or frame.

After drilling the holes, you'll need to install new door knob screws. Make sure to buy the same size as the old ones, to ensure that you don't end up with an handle that is either too tight or too loose. It's also necessary to install a new latch plate and strike rod that aren't included in most door handle sets.

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