How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle can bring your decor and space modern.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or simply require an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles, such as ones which can be operated by a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is called 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 pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point - you will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Now you can start on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin that is 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, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to simply install the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. upvc door handle www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.