How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your home and bring your decor 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 choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and allow you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While door handles have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the development of new designs for handle handles, such as ones which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. Changing out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY project and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same process to remove and replace. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip You will have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.