How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to open and shut them. They are available in a range of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few easy 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 use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole in which can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you might want to choose the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles including ones which can be operated by the forearm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same procedure to remove and replace. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip - you will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will offer greater security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the bolt that is used to latch. Close door handle repairs , then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate 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 upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to just screw the new strike plate in 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 ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. You'll have to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws as well as machine screws so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.