How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.
Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles like those that can be operated using the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type 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 situation, the same procedure for removing and installing is applicable. door handle repair to remove the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has 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 doesn't have this magic button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to simply install the new strike plate in place over the old one, using the screws included with it. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.