How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose 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 come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues, you may want to consider choosing 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 two major issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated with the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. window handles www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have doors with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have 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 using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver. Other handles simply 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 shorter screws with a sharp tip - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Now you can start on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new 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 attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door you have. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.