How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and allow you to open and shut them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few easy steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Be sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same steps for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". Located on window handles 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 does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them where you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point and you'll need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin 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 inside the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer greater security for your door and will keep it shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below 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 hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
It is possible to put the new strikeplate in the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door. However, you may need 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 strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks, and it's made from durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.