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 home's decor up-to-date.
Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and allow you to shut and open them. window handles come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few 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 small opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases 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. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the latch rod over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style 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 considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door 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 a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can put your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip and you'll be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it, based on your door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open the doors. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. You'll have to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right equipment for your task. Be aware that the wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.