How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important element of your decor. window handles will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or 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 enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. 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 be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance certain handles can be operated with a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate part or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will be used. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them that you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing 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 using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to simply install the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws included with it. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't cut too much wood or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-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 both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.