Get Rid Of Replacement Door Handles: 10 Reasons Why You Don't Need It
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles of your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned and then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.
Some homeowners opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek style. This can be matched with their furniture. Some prefer a rustic style that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles . Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that opens your door is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the type of knob you are using 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 itself. In either case, you will follow the same procedure to remove and replace. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle isn't equipped with this button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a small hole in them that you can insert your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.
The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.
Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it is lined up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate on and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that's too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
You might be able to screw the new strikeplate into the one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, based on the door you have. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could ruin the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.