Why No One Cares About Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential element of your home's decor. A new handle can bring your home's decor up-to-date.

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

Door Knobs

Door handles add to the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors and types to complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is simple and can be done in just a few steps.

The first thing you need to find is the spindle or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws that hold the double glazed window handle in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin lets go of the latch mechanism and allows you to 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. Make sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer a lever style or rim lock that require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being looked at more and more when it comes to the design of door handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For instance, some can be operated using 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 upvc door locks and handles handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself or it could be an individual piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little 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 isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off the handle. Some have a small hole in them that you can put your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store the screws that are shorter and have sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure 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 of the door handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons for replacing a door handle is because it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is often caused by incorrectly aligned parts in the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the strike plate is too small. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

You might be able to put the new strikeplate in the existing one using the screws included with it, based on the door. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case Be careful not to be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on doors and will require more force to open them. It typically requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. It is necessary remove the old upvc door handles strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate was specifically designed to work with antique rim locks and it's made from sturdy solid brass in a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Make sure to note that the wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.