Don't Make This Mistake You're Using Your Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up to date.

Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you pick the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a wide variety of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Be sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can 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 and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example some handles handle designs can be operated by an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from age and use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or an integral part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what is called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't come with this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver. Other handles simply 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 sharp tip - you will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin on the inside of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers in the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, like the strike plate being too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide 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 to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door You may be able to just attach the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws included with it.  door handles repair near me repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  may have to first drill holes and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open the doors. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. You'll need to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and it's constructed of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.