How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to 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 functions properly before tightening the set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the hole on the door. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.
Some people prefer an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek appearance. This can be matched with their furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility are two major issues that have led to the creation of innovative new handle designs like those that can be operated using the forearms of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out as time passes. The replacement of the latch to make room for the new handle is a simple DIY job and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on what type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver through, while others snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp tip You will be required to keep 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 out of the hole in the door and put it away.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.
Strike Plate
One of the most frequent reasons to replace the door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.
Depending on your door, you may be able to simply attach the new strike plate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not cut too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new box strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. More methods requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need remove the previous strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and it's made from durable solid brass in the heavy duty thickness. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.