How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff, or 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 appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. upvc door handle have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can use to press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and then verify that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose the lever or rim lock 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 infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example some handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch may be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can slide your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a secure location to be able to 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.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates 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 upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to cut too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate, which gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.