A Trip Back In Time The Conversations People Had About Replacement Door Handles 20 Years Ago
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key 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 may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole where you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold 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 in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You might be interested in an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important too. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down 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 knob you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and installing is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them that you can put your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in 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 the handle and secure it with the provided screws.
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 due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
You might be able to install the new strikeplate in the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. upvc door handle is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.