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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 up-to-date.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are signs it’s time to change them. This guide will help you pick the right replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs or need an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.

You’ll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure you align it correctly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the latch rod over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.

Some people prefer a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. This will match their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If upvc door handle http://www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk have family members who have mobility issues, you may be interested in the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles including ones that can be operated using the forearm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind 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 itself. In either case, you will follow the same steps to remove and replace. It’s simple to take off the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a “magic” button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn’t have this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the plate’s inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point – you will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door’s 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 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 other holes for screws in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn’t locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed.

Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it’s the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door won’t latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to just attach the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it’s a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you’ll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks and it’s made from sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you’ll have the right hardware for your job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.