How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a few steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out 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. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After upvc door handle have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek appearance. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in 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, such as ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. The replacement of the latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY project and can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially if you have doors with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with sharp tips in a safe place in order to reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer more security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole it means that the door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door You may be able to just install the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate into the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and is made of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.