How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. 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 simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the creation of new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In repairmywindowsanddoors , you'll need to follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magic 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 using a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door 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, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to simply screw the new strike plate into place over the old one with the screws included 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 make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.