How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push on the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, 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. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. It will complement their furniture. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever style door knob, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For example, some can be operated with a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. The replacement of the latch to accommodate the new handle is an easy DIY project and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will be used. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip You will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin that is 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 of the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or another 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's hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws that come with it, based on the door. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Make door handle repair to note that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.