How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. upvc replacement door handles repairmywindowsanddoors can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, put 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 lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones which can be operated by a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. Changing out the old latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate component or an integral part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using 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 lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not 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 over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer more security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
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 lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to screw the new strikeplate into place over the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and is made of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.