How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the decor. 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 and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and close them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of easy steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Align upvc door handle and check whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the hole on the door. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example, some can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy especially if the door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is the one you'll have to press to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can slide your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with sharp tips in a safe location so that you can reuse them later. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide greater security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. 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 won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate, which will give the lock a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.