How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the design. A new handle will bring your home's decor modern.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. 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 Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move, you may want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs that require 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 the main issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles including ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY project and will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply 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 means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If upvc door handles is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, depending on the door. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. You'll have remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's made from sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.