The Replacement Door Handles Case Study You'll Never Forget

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of simple steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws that hold the knob in place. upvc door handles have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.

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

After replacing the knob, hold the rod for latching over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same process to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip You will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, depending on the door you have. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate in the frame of the door. You'll have remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.