15 Unquestionable Reasons To Love Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

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

As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade, replacing them is relatively easy and can be accomplished in a few steps.

The first thing you have to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot, or hole, that you can press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. When you press this pin it opens the latch mechanism and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the latch rod over the door's hole. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the most important factor in door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered as well. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the development of new designs for handles. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have the latch could be part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door itself. In either case, you will follow the same process for removing and replacing. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy especially if the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not come with this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver. Other handles simply snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with sharp tips in a safe place so that you can reuse them later. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as a striking plate that's either too small or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and will keep your door 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 below the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

You may be able simply to install the new strikeplate in place over the old one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too deeply or you could damage the integrity of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate, which will give the lock a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it.  www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk  requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.

This strike plate is made to work with rim locks from the past, and it's made from robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your requirements. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.