Check Out: How Replacement Door Handles Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Check that upvc door handles Repair My Windows And Doors is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly if you have a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will need to keep these in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on your door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate into the frame of the door. It is necessary remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space 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 sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.