How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your space and bring your decor to the present.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.
You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and allows you to pull or push on the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.
Once door handles 've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people prefer a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek style. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated with a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to make room for an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate part or a part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.
You can now begin installing 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 that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger 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 try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door depending on the door, you might be able to just screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.
Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically it requires two long screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to pick the right hardware to suit your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip and machine screws have a blunter tip.