How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up to date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement their furniture. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues, you may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose, the latch could be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with an angled tip in a safe place to be able to reuse them later. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide more security for your door and will keep it closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have You may be able to just attach the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing door handle repair near me -style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and it's constructed of robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.