How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on 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 then verify that the latch is working correctly before tightening the 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 that the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family 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 increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to pull the latch out 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 rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. experienced 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 that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip You will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Now you can start on the new latch. Insert 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 inside the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to install the new strikeplate in the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-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. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.