How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the knob 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 and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example, some handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is the one you'll have to press 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. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point You will have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt 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 it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to screw the new strikeplate into place over the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, depending on the door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate into the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
window handles -to find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that the wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.