How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can replace them in a few easy steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using 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 old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the creation of new handle designs. For example, some can be operated with an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. The replacement of the latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will apply. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull 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 latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is 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 will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have, you may be able to simply attach the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws that come with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not cut too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing door handle repair repairmywindowsanddoors will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the frame of the door. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.