How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. 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 even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever 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. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate part or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull 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 remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with 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 as well as the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix 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 often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try 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 won't latch. 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 the door, you may be able to simply attach the new strike plate in place over the old one with the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Be repairmywindowsanddoors that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.