How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor to the present.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This will match their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have family members who are unable to move You might think about an rim lock or a lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones which can be operated by the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly if you have a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is the one you'll have to press to pop 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 rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make door handles that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide more security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. 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 into the existing one with the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the situation make sure you don't cut too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Just remember that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.