Beware Of This Common Mistake When It Comes To Your Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an important part of the design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor up-to-date.

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and make it easier for you to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps.

You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening the new set screws.

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

Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on what kind of handle you choose, the latch could be a separate piece or a part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the door handle has what's known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this button the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.

Then, remove  upvc replacement door handles  that hold the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip You will need to keep these in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After these screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you to replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which will offer better security for your door and keep it closed.

Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. 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 will not latch. 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 have You may be able to just attach the new strike plate in the existing one with the screws included with it. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new box strike plate that gives the lock a much stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make room for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.