How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important element of your design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of simple steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it correctly and verify that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the most important factor in door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. Repair My Windows And Doors is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to remove the latch of the handle.
If your handle doesn't come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
The next step is to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a safe place to be able to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside 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 is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being 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 longer, new one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door you have You may be able to screw the new strike plate into the existing one, using the screws included with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.