How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can change them in just a few easy steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and check to ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style 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. door handles repair near me and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated using the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you will have to press to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this magic 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. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. 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 one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, depending on the door. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.