How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor modern.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. 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 house and allow you to open and close them. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of 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. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. This can be matched with their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate piece or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy especially if the door handle has what is known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with an angled tip in a safe place to be able to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin installing 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 the interior 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 exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to just install the new strike plate in place over the old one with the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure 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.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate in the door frame. You'll need to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.
door handle repair sutton-coldfield Repair My Windows And Doors -to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.