How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important part of the interior design. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.
Over time your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to change them. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an 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 the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands take the knob off and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.
Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. This can be matched with their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have family members with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For content , some can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point You will have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means 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.
Depending on your door depending on the door, you might be able to screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws included with it. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate into the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.