Door Handle Replacement 101: Your Ultimate Guide For Beginners

Door Handle Replacement

It's worth replacing door handles if you aren't happy with the way they look, or if they're difficult to use. With some patience, you can install an entirely new handle in a short time.

Most modern door handles have cover plates that conceal the screws to create a stylish appearance. However, you will need to attach them separately if the new handle does not have them attached already.

Remove the handle that was previously used

The door handle is not only a decoration for your home, but it's also an important safety feature that lets you to lock and unlock the door. As time passes, the door handle may begin to lose its grip or feel loose. It could be beginning to appear old and worn. This is an indication that it's time to replace it.

One of the first signs that your door handle is in need of replacing is if it's becoming difficult to operate. This is a serious issue because you won't be able to lock or unlock the door and put you and your family at risk.

Another reason to replace your door handle is if it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle can be dangerous, particularly for elderly or children members who may struggle to open it. They may get trapped. It's easy to replace a broken handle on the door.

Modern door handles are generally standard sizes and should fit any door. If you're not sure whether your new door handle will fit, try taking out the old one and determining the holes in its housing. This will let you buy the right size door handle.

The easiest method to take off the door handle you have been using is to unscrew it from the door itself. This is typically done with a screw driver. However some door handles have an outer cover plate that hides the screws that mount them, so you'll have to cut off this to access the screws underneath. Once you've removed your old handle, take a note of how the spindle is positioned to ensure you are able to make sure it is aligned when you put in your new one.

You can also remove the door handle by removing the latch mechanism. This is usually done using an screwdriver however you'll need to locate the small latch, which is located at the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, unscrew the handle from the strike plate, and then remove the latch off the door's edge.

Take off the Strike Plate

When you replace your handle, you'll also need 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 that are circular and rectangular plate (see the diagram above which illustrates the components of the door handle). If you have a rectangular latch plate, you can replace it with an oval one. This will allow the latch to be able to hook onto the strike plate, making the handle more convenient.

The first step is to unhook the screw holding the old latch plate. The screws are usually quite tight and require a fair amount of force to loosen them. It might be beneficial to have a second person help with this task if you can.

The latch plate should be removed from the door once the screws have been removed. If it is stuck or doesn't move, use a small nail file to scratch around the edges of the latch plate. This will sometimes free the plate up.

You can now move on to creating the new door strike plate to be installed. Utilizing the screws made of wood that were included with your new handles, attach the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Do not tighten the screws too much as this can cause damage to the strike plate.

If you are not sure whether the latch plate is in the correct position, shut and open the door to check if it latches and closes correctly. If not, you'll need to adjust the strike plate up or down, or forward or back, until the door closes and latches properly.

If the door is still moving or jiggles, you might need to increase the size of your latch hole on the strike plate. This is more common with older doors, but could be due to wear and tear hinge mortises that are too narrow or the wrong size for the latch, or because of damage or a broken strike plate. If this is the case you can use a metal file instead of a chisel, or hammer to adjust the strike plate.

Removing the Latch

The latch is the angled metal piece that moves in and out of the hole that runs along the inside edge of your door. The latch moves forward when you turn the handle. It also hooks into an opening in the frame of the door to keep your door shut. If your door wobbles when you close it, replacing the latch could be the only thing needed to fix the problem.

The screws that support the door latch are difficult to locate however, you can put a screwdriver in a small hole on the trim plate and then pry the latch off. After removing the trim plate, you should be able to remove the latch as well as the bolts that hold it in place and the spindle that holds it.

If the latch doesn't easily release, try using an old-fashioned paper clip or tool to free it from the handle mechanism. Place the item in the latch's slot that is recessed and gently move it around until you feel the handle and latch begin to split. You may need to repeat this procedure several times before you can pull the latch out.

You should be able slide the new latch into its slot with no issues after you've removed the old one. Make sure that the latch is correctly positioned in the slot and is aligned with the screw chambers, and then use the new screws to fasten it to the strike plate and door frame.

Check the backset of the current handle (the distance between the center of the large hole on the front of the door and the edge) prior to installing the new handle. Verify that the size of the latch of the new handle is in line with the measurement.

If you're replacing the handle or latch or handle, or if your previous lock cylinder is damaged, then you'll require a new one. If you're not changing locks, however, a new latch will fit into your existing recess, and work just fine with your current keys. Pick a latch that has rectangular cover plates to match your old handles.

Removing the Cover Plate

You can replace your old door handles with a new design of roses and levers to improve the look of your house. You can purchase complete sets of escutcheons, privacy adaptors, escutcheons, and escutcheons.

To replace an internal door handle, remove the cover plate (or rose), which covers the screws and inner mechanism. Use a flathead for removing the plate. It may have an opening on one edge or be secured by a pin.

When the cover plate is removed take the screw that holds the interior handle in place, and then set it aside. It is also necessary to remove the screws that are holding the latch and inner plates, which you can do by loosening them with the help of a Philips screwdriver. Remove  Repair My Windows And Doors  that hold the inner plate and latch from the door. Put them away.

Some doors don't have this gap. If it doesn't have a handle, you'll need to make a hole in the door for the new handle. It's the same procedure as opening a locked door however you'll have to be extra careful not to harm the door's frame or frame.

After the holes are drilled then you'll need to install new door knob screws. Make sure to buy the same size as the old ones, so you won't have an handle that is either too tight or too loose. You'll also have to install a new latch plate and strike rod, which aren't included with the majority of door handle sets.

Amazon's Choice FAERSI 2-piece chrome finish handle sets are a great option if you're in need of a top-quality interior door handle replacement set. It's factory-fitted and has received hundreds of 5-star reviews. It's a great choice to replace damaged or worn interior door handle hardware on your Chevy HHR.