How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indications 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 add to the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to release the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole through which you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Secure upvc door handle repairs west-bromwich Repair My Windows And Doors by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles including ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip You will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide more security for your door and will keep it shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into the existing one using the screws that come with it, based on your door. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of durable solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.