How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few simple steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. window handles have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people prefer a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. This will match their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to make room for the new handle is a simple DIY job and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate part or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure to remove and replace. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin that is 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 attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer more security for your door and 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 and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to screw the new strikeplate into place over the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.