How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod of the latch over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. door handles repair near me prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim 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. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For example, some handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from the wear and tear of use. The replacement of the latch to make room for a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will be used. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small slot inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior 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 with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and 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 likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to just attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case Be careful not to cut too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on doors and require more force to open them. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.