How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues You may think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
upvc door handle are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to just install the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.