Why No One Cares About Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your 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 change them. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a few steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up and then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You might be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, 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 infection control are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to make room for a new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door itself. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
Now you can start on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide more security for your door and will keep it 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 try to latch it. If more resources is below the strike plate's hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above 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 may be able to just install the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws included with it. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create 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 durable solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware for your needs. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.