How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. upvc replacement door handles will help you select the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the aesthetics 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 has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
After 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 the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten the screws.
Some homeowners opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a modern and sleek appearance. This will match their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic design that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may want to choose the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important too. Accessibility and control of infections have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance, some handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to accommodate a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it could be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that attach the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip - you will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the inside 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 is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle if it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means 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 most likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on the door. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't cut too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.