How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy 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 use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it correctly and verify that the latch is working properly before tightening your new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. This will match the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs like those which can be operated by a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you will have to press to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with an angled tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Now you can 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 on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
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 upvc door handles repairmywindowsanddoors and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole it means that the door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into 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 some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. It is necessary remove the previous strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.