How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few simple steps.
You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This will match their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch may be a separate piece or a component of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will apply. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull 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. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver into, while others snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point You will need to keep these in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. mouse click the following webpage is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb with time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You might be able to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws included with it, depending on the door you have. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also try 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 usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.