How to Replace Door Handles
The door handles that you have in your home are an important part of the decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor up to date.
Over time, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff, or break. These are signs it's time to replace them. This guide will help you choose the correct door handle replacement for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles can enhance the appearance of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a couple of steps.
You must locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a tiny slot or hole that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.
Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Make sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. 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 prefer an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. It will complement their other furniture. Some prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations, you may want to consider choosing an rim lock or a lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For instance, some handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down as time passes. It is easy 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 have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. 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". It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have a slot where you can insert your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.
Then, loosen upvc door handle replacement birmingham that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it using the provided screws.
Strike Plate
It is common to replace a door handle because it is loose or does not lock properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which can provide better security for your door and will keep it closed.
To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply some lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is over the strike hole on the plate, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws included with it, depending on your door. 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 careful not to cut too deeply or you could damage the strength of your doorjamb.
You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. It is necessary to remove the old strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one.
This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.