How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your interior design. 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 them. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the 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. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance, some handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate part or an integral 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, particularly if you have a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest 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 in them where you can slide your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point and you'll be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door 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 is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this means that your door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of durable solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Make upvc door handles to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.