How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle can bring your decor and space modern.
Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make Repair My Windows And Doors to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Lock it in place using 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 prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may be interested in an rim lock or a lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs, such as ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially when you have doors with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point - you will have to store them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try 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 strike plate is too small. 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.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to install the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws included with it. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel some wood out to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate which will give the lock a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.