Pay Attention: Watch Out For How Replacement Door Handles Is Taking Over And What Can We Do About It

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an important part of the interior design. A new handle will bring your home's decor modern.

Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws holding the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on 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 you align it properly and test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. upvc door handles and accessibility are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For instance, some can be operated using an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle does not have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip You will have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Then you can begin to install 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 the square pin on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer greater security for your door and will keep it shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. 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.

It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.

You could also try 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. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.