How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some homeowners opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. It will complement their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues, you may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered as well. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the development of new handle designs. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.
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 it can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you will need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. Once upvc door handle replacement cheltenham www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior 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, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer more security for your door and keep it shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door You may be able to just attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. It is necessary remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was designed to be used with antique rim locks, and it's made from robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Make sure to note that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.