Don't Make This Silly Mistake With Your Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.

Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and allow you to shut and open them. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in just a few steps.

The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues, you may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues in the creation of new designs for handles. For example certain handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to remove the latch of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that secure the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point and you'll have to store them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make  upvc door handles Repair My Windows And Doors  that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide more security for your door and keep it shut.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then 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 above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door, you may be able to install the new strike plate into place over the old one with the screws that come with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.