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 transform your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You might think about a rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example, some handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. Switching out upvc door handle to accommodate an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them where you can insert your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once these are off, you can take 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 latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical 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, such as a strike plate that's too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide better security for your door and will keep it closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to just attach the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws included with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. You'll have remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.