How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an essential element of your decor. A new handle can elevate your home and bring your decor up-to-date.

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 choose the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier for you to shut and open them. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be completed in a few steps.

The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that secure the aluminium window handle. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push on the knob.

Once you have the spindle or shaft, in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening the set screws.

After replacing the knob, 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 lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some people prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with their other furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style 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 that requires less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being taken into consideration more and more in the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example certain double glazed handles (just click the up coming page) can be operated with a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.

Depending on what kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate piece or an integral part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will be used. It's simple to remove the old upvc door handles latch, particularly if you have doors with a "magic" button. This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.

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 using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with an angled tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. Once these are off, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the upvc sliding door handle, and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is pointing towards the latching mechanism inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a victorian scroll door handles handle because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, for example an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your door closed.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is lower than the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to screw the new strike plate in place over the old one with the screws included with it. You may need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a secure fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too much or you may cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.

This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. This kit includes wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to choose the right hardware for your needs. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.