How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle will elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.
Over time your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors, and types to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of simple steps.
You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole where you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained 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 properly and then test to see that the latch is working properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may want to consider choosing 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 have been major considerations in the development of new handle designs. For example certain handles can be operated using the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin 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, push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt 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 may have 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 included with it. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.