15 Reasons To Love Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the design. A new handle will bring your home's decor up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may think about the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to fit a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point and you'll need to keep these in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as 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 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 is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it is loose or does not lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide better security for your door and will keep it shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If read more is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in the existing one using the screws included with it, depending on the door. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate in the frame of the door. You'll need remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.