How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.
The first thing you need 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 insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands Remove the knob and replace it. Be sure to align it properly and test to see that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure barnet upvc door handle repairs are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and it will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same process to remove and replace. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite 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 off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with sharp tips in a secure location to be able to reuse them later. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
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 that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You might be able to put the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door you have. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on 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 accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.