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How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date. Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a range of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps. The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob. After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws. Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws. Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate. Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles . Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person. Latch The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and can make a big 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 component of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what is called a “magic button”. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle. If your handle does not have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver through, while others snap off. Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip – you will be required to keep them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside. 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 using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the provided screws. Strike Plate It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and keep your door closed. Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb. Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to simply screw the new strike plate into place over the old one with the screws that come with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb. You can also consider installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.