How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in just a few steps.
The first thing to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions 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. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek style. This will match their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might prefer the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example certain handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it will make a huge change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle 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 case, you'll need to follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out 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. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
door handle repair is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a secure location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer more security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have You may be able to just install the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws included with it. But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's made from sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right equipment for your task. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.