15 Unquestionable Reasons To Love Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an essential element of your interior 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 signs it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.
The first thing you need to do is locate the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press this pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the latch rod 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 tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open will wear out due to age and use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will be used. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip You will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws that come with it, based on the door you have. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and is made of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware for your needs. Make sure to note that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.