How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle will bring your decor and space up-to-date.
Over door handle repairs , your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you pick the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may think about the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. Switching out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same process to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with sharp tips in a safe place so that you can reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Insert 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 is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer better security for your door and keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it, based on the door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate which will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to fix the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.