How to Replace Door Handles
The door
window handles of your home are an important element of your decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff, or even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you choose the correct 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 shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or simply require an upgrade,
replacing window handles them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.
The first thing to find is the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might prefer the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.
Other factors are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for
window handles for wooden windows. For instance certain handles can be operated using an arm.
Latch
The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.
Depending on the kind 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 itself. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. The process of removing the old latch of its place is quite simple especially if the
patio door handle replacement handle has what is called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle doesn't have this magic button you will need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, while others simply snap off.
Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with an angled tip in a safe location so that you can reuse them in the future. After the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.
You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the exterior latch plate onto the handle and secure it with the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle when it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like a strike plate that's too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb over time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which will provide better security for your door and keep it shut.
To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the
external door handles and locks and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.
You may be able simply to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on your door. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the
sash lock door Handles a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. 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 a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right hardware for the job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.
