How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This will match the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated using the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY project and it will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point - you will have to store them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. Repair My Windows And Doors is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better 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 lower than your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.