How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space up to date.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole through which you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, put the rod for latching over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use the latch can be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you will need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them later. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer better security for your door and will keep it closed.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to screw the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
upvc door handle -to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware for your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.