What You Should Be Focusing On Enhancing Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your design. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk will help you select the correct door handle replacement 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 variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted 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 in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek look. This will match the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You may think about an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles like those which can be operated by the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out as time passes. The replacement of the latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll have to store them in a safe 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 place it in a safe place.
Now you can start on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior 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 attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate that will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.