How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the interior design. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the best 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 close doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles 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 done in just a few steps.
The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations in the development of new handle designs. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process to remove and install will be used. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little 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 does not have this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
Apply door handles Repair My Windows And Doors or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to simply attach the new strike plate in the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks and it's made from sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.