How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. upvc door handles Repair My Windows And Doors can bring your home's decor and interior modern.
Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the appearance of your home and allow you to open and close them. They are available in a range of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a few steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. 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, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.
After replacing the knob, place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then thread the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move You might want to consider choosing a rim lock or lever style door knob, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important too. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door can wear out from age and use. Switching out the old latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY task and it will make a huge difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling will apply. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle has what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have 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 pull them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, while others just snap off.
The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a safe location so that you can reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set 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 hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.
To determine if the issue is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to screw the new strikeplate into the old one using the screws that come with it, depending on the door you have. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate to the door frame. You'll have to remove the old strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your requirements. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.