It's The Evolution Of Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor modern.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole through which allows you to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You might want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance, some can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY project and it will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch can be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is called 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 take the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a small hole inside that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip - you will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide greater security for your door and keep it shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that 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 upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on This Web page may be able to simply screw the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.