How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the design. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help choose the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and close them. door handle repair windsor are available in a range of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.
The first thing to do is locate the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use 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 lets you 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. Make sure you align it correctly and verify that the latch is working properly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some homeowners opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. It will complement the furniture they have. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may think about a rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles including ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door itself. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly if you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you will need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle does not have this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with an angled tip in a secure location to be able to reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then 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 hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and will keep your door 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 and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door You may be able to simply attach the new strike plate into the existing one, using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.
You could also try installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to fix the strike plate in the door frame. It is necessary remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and it's made from sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the correct hardware for your job. Just remember that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.