From All Over The Web 20 Amazing Infographics About Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles
Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can bring your home's decor and interior up-to-date.
As time passes, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to change them. This guide will help you select the right replacement door handle for your home.
Door Knobs
Door handles enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or require an upgrade, you can change them in just a few simple steps.
The first thing you have to do is locate the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that allows you to press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.
Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it properly and verify that the latch works properly before tightening your new set screws.
After you've replaced the knob, place the rod for latching over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are lined up then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.
Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it an elegant, modern look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family who has mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that 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 are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For example some handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.
Latch
The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. The replacement of the latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY project and it can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.
Depending on the kind of handle you choose the latch can be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, the same process for removing and reinstalling is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple especially if the door handle has what is called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.
If your handle does not come with this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.
Then, loosen the machine screws that attach the latch and the plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with an angled tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. Once these are off you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.
You can now begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.
Strike Plate
It is typical to replace a door handle if it is loose or isn't locking 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 project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide greater security for your door and keep it closed.
Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt for the latch 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 indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate is likely to have been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.
window handles www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk might be able to put the new strikeplate in the old one using the screws included with it, based on the door you have. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a good fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.
Installing a 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 will require two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. You'll need to remove the old strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make space for the new one.
This difficult-to-find strike plate was made to work with antique rim locks, and it's made from durable solid brass in an extremely thick. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.