How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the interior design. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in just 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 knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly if 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 pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a small hole in them where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a secure location in order to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. upvc door handle repairs stroud Repair My Windows And Doors is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer better security for your door and will keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, depending on your door. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case Be careful not to cut too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks, and is made of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.