From Around The Web Twenty Amazing Infographics About Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.

Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.

You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch 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 lined up then thread the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design 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 someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer an rim or lever 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 control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that secure the plate's inner 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 place to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off, you can take 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 provided. 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 in the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer greater security for your door and keep it shut.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close upvc door handles repairmywindowsanddoors and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door won't latch because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws included with it, depending on the door you have. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.