Replacement Door Handles Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or 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
Door handles enhance the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated with an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate piece or an integral part of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe place to be able to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, push upvc door handles onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try 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 higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate, which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.
