How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles of your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.

Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement door handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door replacement upvc window handles can enhance the look of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.

You must locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand Remove the knob and replace it. Check whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.

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

Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement their furniture. Some prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members who have mobility issues, you may think about the rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain double glazing handles can be operated using an arm.

Latch

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

Depending on the type of handle you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either case, the same process to remove and install will be used. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob, is what you need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn't have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door, and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't window locking handles properly. This is usually caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer greater security for your door and ensure it stays shut.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole, this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door You may be able to install the new strike plate into the door over the old one, using the screws that come 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 careful not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.