How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace 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 open and close them. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If window handles repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch may be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to remove 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 pry them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with sharp tips in a safe location so that you can reuse them later. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on the door You may be able to install the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws that come with it. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.