How Replacement Door Handles Changed Over Time Evolution Of Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up to date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and shut them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few easy steps.
You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin called a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod of the latch over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.
Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues in the development of new handle designs. For instance some handles can be operated with an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. The replacement of the latch to make room for the new handle is an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in how your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle 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 itself. In either case, you will follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially if you have a door handle with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not have this magic button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Then, remove the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip - you will be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
Now door handle replacement near me can begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin that is on the interior of the latch is facing 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 onto and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will give you better security and will keep your door shut.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it means 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.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. You may need to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.
Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two larger screws to anchor the strike plate in the frame of the door. You'll have remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.
This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.