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How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an essential element of your interior design. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior modern. Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home. Door Knobs The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps. You need to locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push the knob. Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws. Once you've replaced the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate. Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate. While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For instance some handles can be operated using the arm of a person. Latch The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes. Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch can 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. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what's known as a “magic button”. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle. If your handle doesn't have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off. Then, remove the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside. Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied. Strike Plate It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide more security for your door and ensure it stays shut. Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb. Depending on upvc replacement door handles depending on the door, you might be able to install the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb. You can also consider installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.