Forget Replacement Door Handles: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need It
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and allow you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod of the latch over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you have to press to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a safe place to be able to reuse them in the future. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close Suggested Web page and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one using the screws included with it, based on your door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws to 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 out the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with antique rim locks, and is made of robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for the job. Make sure to note that wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.