How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of your home's decor. A new handle can elevate your space and bring your decor to the present.
Over door handle repairs near me www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They are available in a wide range of colors, finishes and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a couple of simple steps.
The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which allows you to press a spring-activated detent pin with a flathead. This pin releases 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 works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors, which require less pressure to operate.
While aesthetics have traditionally been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some handle designs can be operated by an arm.
Latch
The latch that opens your door will wear out due to the wear and tear of use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose, the latch could be a separate component or a component of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and installing will apply. It's simple to take off the old latch, particularly when you have an entry handle that has a "magic" button. Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to take the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a pointy tip - you will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After 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. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the provided screws.
Strike Plate
One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole, it means that the door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.
It is possible to install the new strikeplate in place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door you have. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.
You can also try installing a new strike plate, which provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically it requires two long screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.
This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's made from robust solid brass with the heavy duty thickness. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Just remember that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.