20 Tips To Help You Be More Efficient At Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure door handles align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This will match their furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is easy 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 knob you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip - you will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and will keep your door 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 lower than the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate in the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.