How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move You may think about an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors, which 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 designs for handle handles like those that can be operated using the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a huge change 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 itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install upvc door handle repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the 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 outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, for example a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
Apply a lipstick or other 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 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 attach the new strike plate into place over the old one, using the screws included with it. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the integrity of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate, which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.
