How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential part of the decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are indications 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 enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
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 a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially in the case of doors with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, door handle repair near me repairmywindowsanddoors will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location to be able to reuse them later. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into 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 is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate 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 or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to attach the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-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. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.