Five Door Handle Replacement Lessons Learned From Professionals

Door Handle Replacement

It's worth it to replace door 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 a new handle in no time.

The majority of modern door handles come with cover plates that conceal the screws for an attractive appearance. However, you will need to attach them separately if the new handle does not have them attached already.

Remove the old Handle

Door handles aren't just an an important aesthetic addition to your home, but they're also essential for security as they let you lock and unlock your door. However, over time your door handle can lose its grip, become loose or start to look old and worn out. This is a sign that it's probably time to replace it.

One of the first indications that your door handle requires replacing is if it's becoming difficult to operate. This is an issue because it means you can not lock or unlock your door which could be a security risk for you and your family.

It is also an excellent idea to replace the handle on your door when it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle could be quite dangerous, especially if your children or elderly family members are unable to open it, and get trapped within. It's easy to replace a damaged handle on doors.

The majority of modern door handles are a standard size and so they are suitable for 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 the holes in its housing. This will allow you to purchase the right size door handle.

It is easiest to remove the door handle by taking it off from the double glazed door handle. This is usually done using the screw driver. Some door handles come with an enclosure plate that hides the screws used to mount them. You will need to remove this to get to the screws. After you've removed the old handle, make a note of how the spindle is connected so that you can align it when you fit the new one.

You can also remove the door handle by depressing the latch mechanism. You can use a screwdriver for removing the door handle. However, you'll have to locate the small latch, which is located on the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, take off the handle and the strike plate. Then, remove the latch from the door's edge.

Take off the Strike Plate

When replacing your handle, you'll be required to replace the latch plate, which is the hole that the door's latch is inserted into when it closes. The new handles will have two latch plates which are a circular and a rectangular plate (see the diagram above that shows the parts of the door handle). If your current latch plate is rectangular, swap it out for the round one, so that the latch is able to hook into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle more comfortable to operate.

The first step is to take off the screw holding the latch plate. The screws can be very tight, and will require some force to loosen. If possible, it may be beneficial to have a second person assist you with this task.

The latch plate should lift itself out of the sliding door handles after the screws have been removed. If the latch plate is stuck or doesn't move, use a small file to scrape the edges. This may help free the plate.

You can now move on to making the new door strike plate to be installed. With the screws made of wood that came with your new handles, attach the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Do not overtighten your screws because this could cause damage to the strike plate.

If you're unsure whether the latch plate is in the correct position, close and open the door to determine if it latches and closes properly. If not you'll need to adjust the strike plate either up or down, or move it forward or back, until the door closes and latches correctly.

If the door is still moving or jiggles, then you may need to increase the size of your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more frequent on older doors. It can be caused by wear and tear hinges that aren't small, a wrong size latch, or a damaged strike plate. If this is the situation you can use a metal file instead of a chisel or hammer to adjust the strike plate.

Eliminating the Latch

The latch is the metal piece that is angled that moves through the hole on the inside edge of your door. The latch moves forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into a hole in the door frame to keep the door closed. If your door wiggles when you close it, replacing the latch could be the only thing needed to fix it.

The screws that secure the door latch are difficult to see however, you can put a screwdriver in a small hole on the trim plate and then pry the latch off. After removal of the trim plate you will be able to pull off the latch as well as the bolts that hold it, as well as the spindle in position.

If the latch cannot be easily removed, use a paperclip or tool to take it off the handle mechanism. Insert the item in the recessed slot of the latch and then gently twist or jiggle until the that the latch and handle are beginning to separate. You may need to repeat this several times before the latch comes loose enough to allow it to be pulled out.

After the old latch is removed and the old latch is removed, you should be able to insert the new latch into the slot with no difficulties. Use the new screws to attach the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure it's properly positioned in the slot, and 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 of the door to the edge). Make sure that the size of the latch of the new handle matches the measurement.

You'll require a new cylinder for your lock if replacing the handle and latch or your existing one is damaged. If you're not replacing the locks the new latch will fit into your existing recess and will work with the keys you have currently. Be sure to select an entry point with rectangular cover plates that match the locking Window Handles you have.

Remove the cover plate

You can replace your door handles with a new rose and lever designs to enhance the appearance of your house. You can purchase complete sets with matching escutcheons, privacy adaptors and escutcheons.

To replace an internal door handle take off the cover plate (or rose), which protects the screws and the inner mechanism. Use a flathead to remove the plate. It could have a slot along one edge or be held in place by a pin.

Remove the screw that holds the interior handle and set it aside once the cover plate has been removed. You'll also want to take out the screws that hold the latch and plates, which you can do by loosening them using a Philips screwdriver. Remove the inner plates and latch from the door. Put them away.

Most doors have gaps between the jamb of the door and the inside edge of the frame, which allows for a handle, however not all do. If yours does not allow for a handle, you'll have to drill a new hole into the door. The process for doing this is the same as opening a double glazed door handle using a lock, but you'll have to be extra careful not to damage the frame or door.

After drilling the holes then you'll need to install new door knob screws. Purchase the same size as the old screws to prevent getting a handle too tight or loose. Installing a new strike rod and latch is also necessary. They aren't included in most door handle sets.

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