How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to change them. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you to 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. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You might think about a rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require 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 when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance, some handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY task and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will be used. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you will need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a small slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them later. Once Repair My Windows And Doors are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide better security for your door and keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door You may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate in the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and is made of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.