How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and allow you to open and close them. They are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a few steps.
The first thing you need to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once upvc door handles have access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it correctly and test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move, you may want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever style door knob, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. Switching out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip You will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Now you can start on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
It is possible to put the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on the door. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.