How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor 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 pick the right replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the look of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that you can use to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using flathead. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.

After you have gained access to the shaft or spindle take off the door handle repair near me knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it correctly and test to see that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. It will complement their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down as time passes. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you use, the latch could be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. 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 button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will 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 put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

The next step is to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point - you will be required to keep them in a safe place to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and aligns with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a upvc door handle repair handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door handle repairs near me closed.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate has likely been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one using the screws that come with it, depending on the Door handle lock repair (www.bitsdujour.com). But, you may have to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the integrity of your doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new box strike plate which will give the lock a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and Door Handle Lock Repair chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, and machine screws have a blunter tip.