How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor up to date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you 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 range of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.
You need to locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole 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 prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may prefer an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For instance, some can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle has what is known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If upvc door handle doesn't come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip You will have to store them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide greater security for your door and will keep it shut.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one using the screws included with it, depending on the door you have. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate that provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.