How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor up to date.
Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are indications that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it correctly and test to see that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
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. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You might think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are becoming more important as well. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to age and 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 handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. upvc door handle replacement rickmansworth repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a small hole in them where you can slide your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with sharp tips in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some 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's hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have You may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws that come with it. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't cut too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on doors and require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.