10 Facts About Replacement Door Handles That Will Instantly Put You In A Good Mood
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, place the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that 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 are two major issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles like those that can be operated with the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have the latch could be part of the knob or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. window handles to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can insert your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point 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 are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer more security for your door and keep it shut.
Apply some lipstick or other 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's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have You may be able to screw the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too hard or you'll cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on doors and will 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 need to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.