How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space up to date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.
door handles Repair My Windows And Doors need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Be sure to align it correctly and verify that the latch functions properly before tightening your 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 in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people prefer an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members who are unable to move You may be interested in an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant change 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 or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will apply. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't come with this 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 using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on 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 indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You might be able to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on your door. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too deeply or you could cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for your job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.