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How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an essential element of your design. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date. Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to open and shut them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of simple steps. You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws. Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated with the forearm of a person. Latch The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes. Depending on the type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle has what is known as a “magic button”. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you have to press to remove the latch of the handle. If your handle doesn't have this 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 with the help of a screwdriver. window handles have a small hole in them where you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off. The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip – you will be required to keep them in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside. Now you can start on the new latch. Install 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 of the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed. To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. Depending on the door You may be able to install the new strike plate into place over the old one, using the screws that come with it. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the integrity of your doorjamb. You could also try installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one. This difficult-to-find 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, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.