Watch Out: How Replacement Door Handles Is Taking Over And How To Stop It
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or 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
Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you 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 whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles, such as ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using the latch could be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what is known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point - you will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to just screw the new strike plate into the door over the old one, using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
upvc door handle could also try installing a new box strike plate, which will give the lock a stronger 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 and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.