How To Get Better Results Out Of Your Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a few steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. upvc door handles repairmywindowsanddoors have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Be sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. 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.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated with the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate part or a component of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install will apply. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as 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 take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and will keep it shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to just install the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. 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 equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.