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How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date. Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles add to the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a few steps. You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot or hole through which you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob. Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure window handles by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them. Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You may think about the rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. 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 using the forearm of a person. Latch The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to fit the new handle is a simple DIY job and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes. Depending on the kind of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle has what's called 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 come with 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 using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off. The next step is to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip – you will be required to keep them in a safe place to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away. 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 hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided. Strike Plate It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, for example the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and will keep it shut. To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's 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 likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb. You might be able to put the new strikeplate in the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door you have. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too hard or you'll ruin the integrity of your doorjamb. Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one. This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.