How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to change them. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. upvc door handles Repair My Windows And Doors are available in a range of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have family members who have mobility issues You may want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated with a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially if you have a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have 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 by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with sharp tips in a safe place 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 set it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to install the new strike plate into the door over the old one, using the screws that come with it. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right equipment for your task. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.