How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or you just want to upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure you align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. door handle repairs margate Repair My Windows And Doors prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever knobs for doors 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. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example some handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially if 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 doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them later. Once the screws are removed you can remove 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 inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
To check if the problem 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 try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to attach the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws included with it. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor 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 away the wood to create space for the new one.
This strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.