How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle will 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 pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that 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 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 whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles like those which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and it can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose, the latch could be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't 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 a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can slide your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, for example the strike plate being too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate 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 is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into the old one using the screws included with it, depending on the door. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too hard or you'll cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style 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 longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. door handle repairs 's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.