How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over repairmywindowsanddoors on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you pick the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and allow you to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a few steps.
The first thing 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 access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this 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 hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, put 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 in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are the main issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from age and use. Switching out the old latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY task and it will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that attach the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp tip - you will have to store them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
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 provided hardware. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined 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 a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, like a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have, you may be able to screw the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.