How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to shut and open them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push on the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This will match their furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may be interested in an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the development of new handle designs. For instance, some can be operated with an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or a component of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole inside that you can put your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. door handle repairs near me will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put 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 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, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when 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 up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into the old one using the screws that come with it, based on the door. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box 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 into the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.