A Replacement Door Handles Success Story You'll Never Imagine
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor modern.
Over time your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
upvc door handle on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a range of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin releases 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. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put 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 aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance some handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using, the latch may be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly in the case of doors with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip and you'll have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
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, then 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 higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws included with it, based on the door. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.