How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor to the present.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Check whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use the latch can be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually 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 where you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip and you'll be required to keep them in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then 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 provided. Make sure that the square pin on 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 outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has 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 ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing door handles repair near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk -style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.