How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the interior design. A new handle will bring your decor and space up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to change them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and close them. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a few steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands take the knob off and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and test to see that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod of the latch over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may think about the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated with a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk of handle you use the latch can be a separate part or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what is called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have 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 magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point You will have to store them in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole 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 in the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer more security for your door and keep it shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to screw the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws that come with it. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's made from durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.