How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole where can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
After 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 the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may think about the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance some handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open can wear out from the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly if you have doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these screws with a pointed tip in a safe place in order to reuse them in the future. After these screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert door handle repairs near me into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher 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 simply attach the new strike plate into the existing one, using the screws that come with it. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.