How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on door handles Repair My Windows And Doors of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle has what is called 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 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 with the help of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate on and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.