20 Fun Facts About Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles that you have in your home are an important element of your design. A new handle can bring your decor and space up to date.

Over time, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff, or break. These are indicators that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your house and make it easier to open and shut them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade it is possible to change them in just a few simple steps.

The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through the knob's attachment to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to loosen the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once  letchworth door handle repair  have the spindle, or shaft in your hands, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. This will match the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example, some handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that opens your door will wear out due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and installing will be used. It's easy to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp point and you'll be required to keep them in a safe location to use them again in the next steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle if it is loose or doesn't 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 up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer more security for your door and ensure it stays shut.

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 below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is over 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 have, you may be able to install the new strike plate into the existing one using the screws included with it. You may have to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful not to cut too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with antique rim locks and it's made from robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes wood screws and machine screws so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.