How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a variety 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 couple of simple steps.
You need to locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and test to see that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek look. This can be matched with their furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. The replacement of the latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially in the case of doors with a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is the one you'll have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to attach the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically door handles repairmywindowsanddoors requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and is made of durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.