How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
more helpful hints enhance the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Be sure to align it correctly and verify that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for latching over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people prefer a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members who have mobility issues, you may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what is known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is the one you'll need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
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 the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide greater security for your door and will keep it shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on your door. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is specifically designed to work 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, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.