How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. door handles will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to appear worn or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You may think about an rim lock or a lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those which can be operated by the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob itself or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will apply. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what 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. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
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 with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to attach the new strike plate into place over the old one using the screws included with it. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. It is necessary remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.