How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a few simple steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You might be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. window handles is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure to remove and replace. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them later. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Then you can begin to install 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 interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this means that your door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than 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 simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too hard or you'll damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.