How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor to the present.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a few steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained 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 is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary look. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have family members who have mobility issues You might be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it could be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially when you have doors with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest 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 slot in them that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a secure location in order to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and 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 that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and keep it shut.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole it means that the door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If upvc door handle is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the frame of the door. It is necessary 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 was specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware for your needs. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.