How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a key part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.

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

Door Knobs

Door handles can enhance the look of your home, while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and types to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs or need an upgrade, you can replace them in a few simple steps.

The first thing to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with the flathead screwdriver 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 take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.

Once you've replaced the knob, put the rod of the latch over the hole in the door and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten them.

Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary look. It will complement the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic style which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. 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 control of infections have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance some handles can be operated using an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down as time passes. 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 knob you are using depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you will follow the same process to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your upvc door handle repair handle has what is called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.

Next, you will want to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a pointy tip and you'll have to store them in a secure location to use them again in the next steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other screw holes in the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle repairs near me handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, like an unbalanced strike plate that is too short or moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple fix allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, larger one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this means that your door isn't latching because the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one using the screws included with it, based on the door. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel out some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, be cautious not to chisel too much or you may ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door handle repair handles repair upvc door handle near me (visit my homepage). You'll have remove the previous strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made from solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.