How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the design. window handles can elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You might think about a rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to 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, such as ones which can be operated by a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what 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 be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip You will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in subsequent steps. After the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on 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 is facing 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 provided.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door You may be able to just attach the new strike plate into place over the old one with 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 snugly fitted. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually 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 specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.