The Reasons To Focus On Improving Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the 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 hands Remove the knob and replace it. Check 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. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. This will match the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues, you may think about an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles including ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from age and use. The replacement of the latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will apply. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle has what is called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with an angled tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the 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 to replace the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide more security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have, you may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If check out this site is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.