How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date.
Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a few steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism 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. Make sure you align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the door's hole. door handle repair near me repairmywindowsanddoors with the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for 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, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer 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. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated with an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door You may be able to simply attach the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws that come with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.