How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. door handle repair near me will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in just a few steps.
The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole in which can be used with the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push on the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the latch rod in position over the door's hole and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are the main issues that have led to the creation of new designs for handle handles including ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY task and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door. In either situation, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. Getting the old latch out of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a small hole inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these screws with a pointed tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.
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 interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is typically caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide more security for your door and ensure it stays closed.
Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher than the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
You might be able to install the new strikeplate in the existing one using the screws included with it, based on your door. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.