10 Meetups About Replacement Door Handles You Should Attend

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key part of your home's decor. A new handle will elevate your home and bring your decor to the present.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the correct  door handle replacement  for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the appearance of your home and allow you to open and shut them. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours has begun to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of simple steps.

You need to locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that can be used with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that secure the handle. Some have a small slot or hole where can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Be sure to align it properly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.

After replacing the knob, hold the rod of the latch 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 latch plate screws and tighten them.

Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary style. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with rustic-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have traditionally been the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other aspects are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility are key issues that have led to the development of innovative new handle designs, such as ones that can be operated with a person's forearm.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to the wear and tear of use. The replacement of the latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and it will make a huge difference in the way your door 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 that is attached to the door. In any case, you'll follow the same process for removing and replacing. It's simple to remove the old latch, particularly in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to take the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver in order to remove them off the handle. Some have a slot in which you can place your screwdriver, whereas others simply snap off.

Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the plate's inner and latch to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip You will need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into 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 inside the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example the strike plate being too small or shifted up or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door and 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.

It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. However, you might need to drill holes first, and then chisel some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open them. Typically it will require two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll have to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is specifically designed to work with antique rim locks, and is made of durable solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed point, whereas machine screws are blunter.