The Evolution Of Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles of your home are an essential part of the interior design. A new handle will bring your decor and space up-to-date.

As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help choose the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the look of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a wide variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs or need an upgrade You can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.

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

Some prefer the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that matches other furnishings in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in the rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and control of infections have been key issues when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example, some can be operated with an arm.

Latch

The latch that keeps your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. Switching out the old latch to fit a new handle can be an easy DIY task and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob or it could be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same steps for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, especially in the case of an entry handle that has a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pop the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

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

Then, remove the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and put it away.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Install 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 in the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate on and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.

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 and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

Depending on  door handle repair , you may be able to just install the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new strike plate that will give the lock a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. You'll need remove the previous strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a pointy tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.