How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop 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 that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate on and secure it using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to screw the new strikeplate into the existing one using the screws included with it, based on the door you have. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate in the door frame. To do window handles www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk , you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.