How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor to the present.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Be sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out as time passes. upvc door handles is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially if you have doors with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can insert your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will be required to keep them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once the 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 begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. 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 is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate on and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle is because 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 up or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try 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 higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.