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How to Replace Door Handles The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the interior design. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date. Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps. The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob. After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws. After replacing the knob, place the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws on the latch plate. Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate. Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles . Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the creation of new handle designs. For example some handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person. Latch The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes. Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly if you have a door handle with a “magic” button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle. If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off. Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away. Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided. Strike Plate It is common to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut. To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. Depending on your door depending on the door, you might be able to screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb. Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one. This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Be aware that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.