How To Explain Replacement Door Handles To Your Mom
How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor up-to-date.
Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles add to the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.
The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.
After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
Once you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.
Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This will match their furniture. Some prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles, such as ones that can be operated using a person's forearm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate an entirely new handle can be a simple DIY job and will make a significant 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 part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pull the latch out of the handle.
If your handle doesn't come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can put your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.
Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with an angled tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and place it in a safe place.
Now you can start on the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing 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 supplied.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it is loose or does not lock properly. This is often due to incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like a strike plate that's too small or has moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will give you better security and keep your door closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
Depending on the door, you may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one, using the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll damage the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new strike plate which gives the lock a much more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and 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 an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware for your requirements. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.