15 Up-And-Coming Replacement Door Handles Bloggers You Need To Keep An Eye On

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor to the present.

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 best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole through which you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.

After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.

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

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person.

Latch

The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you are using 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. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you will have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them where you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place  window handles  of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using 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 screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and will keep your door 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 and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to just attach the new strike plate in place over the old one with 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 chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate into the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.