How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space modern.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs 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 appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
You need to locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once repairmywindowsanddoors have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance, some can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate component or a component of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point - you will have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer greater security for your door and keep it 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's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
You might be able to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed using the screws included 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 perfect fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not cut too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger 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 have to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.