How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you pick the right replacement door handle 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 wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. upvc door handles repairmywindowsanddoors have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from age and use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or an integral part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can put your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point You will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer greater security for your door and will keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.