How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can bring your decor and space up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. upvc door handle repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk come in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to 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. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues You may be interested in an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated using a person's arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same steps to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what's called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you will have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small hole in them that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with a pointed tip in a secure location to be able to reuse them later. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide more security for your door and ensure it stays 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 your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
Depending on your door You may be able to install the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to create space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.