How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right replacement door handle 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 come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you 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 to align it correctly and test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can 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 tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. 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 knob, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate part or a part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip You will be required to keep them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down 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 your door. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. Repair My Windows And Doors is necessary to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.