How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
After window handles www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk have ahold of the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY task and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is the one you'll have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew 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 secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide better security for your door and keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to attach the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate, which will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to 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 hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks, and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.