Replacement Door Handles Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up to date.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in a couple of steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace upvc window handle it. Be sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have members of your household who have mobility issues You may be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain replacement upvc window handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. Changing out the old latch to make room for the new handle is a simple DIY job and can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or a component of the knob. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly when you have a door handle with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob, is what you will have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver. Other handles and hinges simply snap off.

Next, you will want to loosen the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll have to store them in a safe place to reuse them in subsequent steps. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin that is 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 outside latch plate on and secure it with the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

Apply some lipstick or other 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 means that your door won't latch due to the fact that the strike plate is too small. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to simply screw the new strike plate into the existing one with the screws that come with it. You may need to drill holes first and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was designed to be used with rim locks from the past, and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.