How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space up to date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of simple steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. 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. Be sure to align it properly and test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the latch rod in position over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important too. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs including ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In repairmywindowsanddoors , the same procedure to remove and install will apply. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate on and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide more security for your door and will keep it shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's 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 old one using the screws included with it, based on the door. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate in the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.