How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They are available in a range of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole 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 them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might be interested in an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob 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 case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
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 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 of the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. Repair My Windows And Doors is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer greater security for your door and will keep it closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate 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 has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one using the screws that come with it, depending on your door. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for your job. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.