What Door Handle Replacement Is Your Next Big Obsession?

Door Handle Replacement

Door handles appear to be something minor, but if you dislike the way they look or are finding them difficult to use, it's worth replacing them. Installing a new door handle is simple if you've got patience.

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

Take off the handle from the old one.

Door handles aren't just an important for their aesthetic value to your home, but they're also vital for safety since they allow you to lock and unlock your door. However, over time, your door handle may lose its grip, feel loose or start to look old and worn out. This is an indication that it's time to replace it.

If your door handle is becoming difficult to use, it might be time to replace it. This is an issue because it means that you can not lock or unlock your door, which could be the risk of security for you and your family.

It is also recommended to replace your door handle in the event that it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle could be quite dangerous, especially if your children or elderly family members struggle to open it, and get trapped within. It's simple to fix a damaged handle on the door.

Modern door handles are usually standard sizes and should be able to fit any door. If you're unsure if the new door handle you're buying will fit, try taking out the old one and measuring its housing holes. This will enable you to buy the right size door handle.

The most straightforward method to take off the door handle you have been using is to take it off of the door itself. Usually it is a matter of using a screwdriver. However some door handles have an outer cover plate that hides the mounting screws, so you'll need to pry off this to access the screws beneath. After removing the old handle, make a note of how the spindle has been connected. This will help you align the new handle.

You can also remove the door handle by unscrewing the latch mechanism. This is usually done with the screwdriver, but you'll need to find the small latch, which should be on the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, take off the handle and strike plate. Then, remove the latch from the door's edge.

Take off the Strike Plate

You'll need to replace your latch plate when you replace the handle. It's the part that is the one that holds the hole in which the latch of the door hooks when the door is closed. The packaging that the new handles are packaged with will offer two latch plates: one that is rectangular and the other circular (see the diagram above for the parts of the door handle). If your current latch plate has rectangular in shape, swap it to a circular one so that the latch hooks into the strike plate in a manner that makes the handle more comfortable to use.

The first step is to remove the screw that is holding the latch plate. These screws are often tight and will require some force to loosen. It might be beneficial to have a second person help in this area if it is possible.

The latch plate should easily be removed from the door once the screws have been removed. If it is stuck or doesn't move using a nail file to scrape around the edges of the latch plate. This can help loosen the plate.

Now you can prepare the new strike plate to be installed. Utilizing the screws made of wood that came with the new handles, screw the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Be careful not to over-tighten the screws, as this can cause damage to the strike plate.

If you're not sure if the latch plate is in the right position, try closing and then opening the door to check whether it locks and closes correctly. If it does not you'll have to adjust the strikeplate up or down, or forward or back until the door shuts correctly.

If the door is moving or jiggling, you may need to enlarge the hole for the latch in the strike plate. This is more common on older doors. It could be caused by wear and tear hinges that are too narrow, the incorrect size of the latch or 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.

Removing the Latch

The latch is an angled metal piece which slides in and out of a hole in the inside of your door. When you turn the handle, it pushes the latch forward and allows you to open the door. It also hooks into a hole in the frame of the door to keep the door shut. If your door is wobbling when you close it, replacing the latch could be all you need to correct the issue.

The screws that support the door latch are difficult to locate, but you can usually insert a screwdriver into 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 as well as the bolts that hold it, as well as the spindle in position.

If the latch doesn't easily come out you can try using an old-fashioned paper clip or tool to free it from the handle mechanism. Insert the item into the recessed slot of the latch and gently twist it or jiggle until the handle and latch begin to separate. You may have to repeat this process several times before you are able to pull the latch out.

You should be able slide the new latch into its slot with no issues once you have removed the old one. Make sure the latch is properly positioned in the slot and aligned with the screw chambers and then use your new screws to fasten it to the strike plate and door frame.

Take note of the backset (the distance between the center of the large hole in the door's front and the edge) prior to installing the new handle. Also, make sure that the latch size on the new handle is a good match to this measurement.

If you're replacing the latch or handle or handle, or if the old lock cylinder has been damaged, then you'll need a new one. If you're not changing locks, however, a new latch will fit into your existing recess, and work just fine with the keys you have currently. Be sure to select a latch with rectangular cover plates that match the handles you have.

Removal of the Cover Plate

Door handles may begin to look worn over time However, if you replace them with a modern lever-on-rose design, it's a simple and quick DIY project to decorate and will improve the overall look of your home. You can purchase complete sets that include matching escutcheons and privacy adaptor kits.

The first step in replacing the door handle inside is to remove the cover plate or rose, which hides the screws and mechanism inside. Utilize a flathead to take off the cover plate. It may have an opening on one edge or be held by a pin.

Remove the screw that holds the interior handle and put it aside after the cover plate has been removed. It is also necessary to remove the screws that are holding the latch and plates, which you can do by loosening them with a Philips screwdriver. Then, you can remove the outer plates and latch plate from the door and set them aside.

repairmywindowsanddoors  have this gap. If it doesn't have a handle, you'll need to make a hole in the door to accommodate the new handle. The procedure for this is the same as opening a door using the lock, however you'll have to be extra careful not to harm the frame or door.

After drilling the holes, you'll need to install new door knob screws. Be sure to purchase the same size as the previous ones, to ensure that you don't end up with an handle that is either too tight or loose. Installing a new strike rod and latch is also necessary. These are not included in all door handle sets.

If you're looking for a high-quality replacement for your interior door handle set Try the Amazon's Choice FAERSI two-piece chrome finish handle set. It is a factory-fit and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews. It's a great option for replacing worn out or damaged door hardware on your Chevy.