20 Trailblazers Leading The Way In Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important part of the interior design. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.
You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands take the knob off and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
upvc door handles choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. This can be matched with their furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You may think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that opens your door will wear out due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using the latch could be part of the knob or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same process to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will have to store them in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Now you can start on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that 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 in the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer more security for your door and keep it closed.
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 located below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, based on your door. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the door frame. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with antique rim locks, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware for your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.