How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your decor and space modern.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you pick the right 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 open and close them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.
The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin and the latch mechanism opens, it releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.
After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, place the rod of the latch 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 a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members who are unable to move, you may want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. Switching out the old latch to fit the new handle is a simple DIY job and will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same steps to remove and replace. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle has what is called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a small slot inside that you can put your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip You will need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
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 using the hardware supplied. Make sure that 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 of the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like a strike plate that's too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide more security for your door and keep it shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on your door depending on the door, you might be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you might need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.
window handles can also try installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger 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 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 has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.