How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.

Over time the knobs on your door could become stiff, or even break. These are indications that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors, and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to appear worn or simply require an upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in just a few steps.

You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the upvc chrome door handles. Some knobs have a small opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out 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, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.

After you have ahold of the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and then test to see that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the rod that is attached to the latch over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you might want to choose the lever or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered too. Accessibility and control of infections are two major issues that have led to the creation of new and innovative designs for handles including ones which can be operated by the forearm of a person.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. Changing out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a significant difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you have the latch could be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door itself. In any case, you'll follow the same procedure to remove and replace. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep the screws that are shorter and have an angled tip in a secure location so that you can reuse them later. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

You can now begin working 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 screw holes in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it using the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or shifted upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old upvc door handles strikeplate with a longer one, which will offer more security for your door and ensure it stays closed.

To determine if the issue 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 attempt to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this means that your door won't latch due to the fact that the strike plate is too small. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

Depending on the upvc door handle Door Locks And Handles - Articlescad.Com, you have depending on the door, you might be able to just attach the new strike plate into the existing one, using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, so you can pick the right hardware for your needs. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.