How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential part of the interior design. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk enhance the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs or need an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from age and use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy especially if the door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip You will be required to keep them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the latching mechanism 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 supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door You may be able to just install the new strike plate into place over the old one with the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.