Door Handle Replacement

It's worth replacing external door handles and locks handles if you don't like the way they look or if they're difficult to use. With a bit of patience, you can get the new handle in no time.

Modern door handles are often equipped with cover plates which hide the screws for an attractive look. If your new handle does not already have them connected, you'll need to attach them separately.

Remove the Old Handle

The door handle is not only a decorative addition to your home It's also an important safety feature that lets you to lock and unlock your door. As time passes the door handle could start to lose its grip or feel loose. It might also begin to look aged and worn. This is a good indication that it's time to replace your door handle.

One of the first indications that your door handle is in need of replacing is the fact that it is becoming difficult to operate. This is a serious problem since you won't be capable of locking window handle or unlocking the door, which could put your family and yourself at risk.

Another reason to replace your door handle is when it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle is dangerous, especially for elderly and children members who might struggle to open it. They could be trapped. It's easy to replace a damaged handle on a door.

The majority of modern door handles are standard size and so they should fit any door. If you're not sure if the new door handle you're buying will fit, try taking out the old one and measuring its housing holes. This will allow you to purchase the right size door handle.

The easiest way to remove your old door handle is to remove it from the door itself. Usually it is a matter of using a screwdriver. However some door handles have a cover plate that conceals the screws that mount them, so you'll need to remove this to access the screws beneath. Once you've removed your old handle, make a note of how the spindle is attached to ensure you are able to be sure to align it when you install your new one.

You can also remove your door handle by unscrewing it from the latch mechanism. You can use a screwdriver to remove the door handle. However, you'll have to locate the tiny latch, which is located on the edge trim piece. Once you've removed the latch, you can take the handle off the strike plate and then remove the latch from the door edge.

Removing the Strike Plate

You'll need to replace your latch plate when you replace the handle. This is the plate that holds the hole where the latch of the door hooks when the door is closed. The box that the new handles arrive in will include two latch plates: a rectangular one and a circular one (see the diagram above for the components of a door handle). If you have a rectangular latch plate, replace it with a circular one. This will allow the latch to be able to hook onto the strike plate and make the handle easier.

The first step is to unhook the screw holding the old latch plate. The screws are usually quite tight and require a lot of force to loosen them. If you are able, it could be helpful to have another person help with this process.

The latch plate should easily lift itself out of the door once the screws have been removed. If it's stuck or won't move using a nail file to scratch around the edges of the latch plate. This will sometimes free the plate.

You can now move on to making the new door strike plate to be installed. With the wood screws that were included with your new handles, attach the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Don't over tighten your screws as this could cause damage to the strike plate.

If you're not sure whether the latch plate is in its correct position, shut and open the door to see whether it locks and closes properly. If not then you'll need to adjust the strikeplate up or down, or forward or back until the door closes properly.

If the door is still moving or jiggles, you might have to expand your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more prevalent on older doors. It could be caused by wear and tear, hinges that are too narrow, the incorrect size of the latch or a damaged strike plate. If this is the situation, follow the same procedure to adjust the strike plate, but with an iron file instead of an hammer and chisel.

Removal of the Latch

The latch is a curved metal piece which slides in and out of a hole in the inside of your door. The latch is moved forward when you turn the handle. It also catches a hole on the door frame so that the door remains closed. If your door wobbles when you close, an upgrade to the latch could be all that is needed to fix the problem.

The screws that secure the door latch are hard to spot however, you can use a screwdriver to make a small hole on the trim plate, and then pull the latch off. After removal of the trim plate you will be able to pull off the latch and the bolts that hold it in place and the spindle.

If the latch won't come out it is suggested to use an old-fashioned paper clip or tool to free it from the handle mechanism. Insert the item into the recessed latch slot and gently twist or jiggle it until you feel the handle and latch start to split. It is possible to repeat this procedure several times before you can take the latch off.

After the old latch is removed it should be possible to slide the new latch into the slot with no difficulties. Make use of the new screws to attach the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure that it is correctly placed in the slot, aligned with the screw chambers.

Before installing the new handle, be certain to measure your existing backset (the distance from the center of the large hole on the front surface of the door to the edge). Check that the latch size of the new handle is equal to the measurement.

If you're replacing the latch or handle or handle, or if the old lock cylinder is damaged, then you'll require an entirely new one. If you're not changing locks the new lock should fit into your existing recess and work with the keys you have already. Choose a latch that has rectangular cover plates that match your existing handles.

Then remove the Cover Plate

You can replace your door handles with a new design of roses and levers to make a difference in the appearance of your house. You can purchase complete sets of door handles that come with matching escutcheons as well as privacy adaptor kits.

The first step in replacing the door handle inside is to remove the cover plate or rose, which covers the screws and mechanism inside. Use a flathead for removing the cover plate. It could have an opening on one edge or be secured by pins.

Remove the screw that holds the interior handle and set it aside once the cover plate is removed. Remove the screws that hold both the inner and outer plates. You can loosen them with a Philips Screwdriver. Then, remove the inner plates and latch plate from the door and put them aside.

Most doors have an opening between the jamb of the door and the inside edge of the frame that makes room for a handle, but not all do. If it doesn't, you'll need to drill a hole into the door to install the new handle. It's the same procedure for opening a locked door, but you will need to be extra careful not to scratch the frame or door.

The installation of new door knob screws is required after the holes have been made. Be sure to purchase the same size as the old ones, so that you won't have a handle that's too tight or too loose. Installing a new latch and strike rod is also required. These aren't included in most door handle sets.

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