How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial element of your home's decor. A new handle can transform your space and bring your decor to the present.

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

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your house and allow you to open and close them. They come in a wide range of finishes, colors and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning appear worn or door handle lock repair just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in just a few steps.

You need to locate the spindle, or shaft, through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that hold the handle in place. Others have a thin slot or hole that can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism, and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws for the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some people choose an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home door handle repair near me a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with the furniture they have. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you may 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 front door handle repair handles. Accessibility and infection control have been major considerations in the creation of new designs for handles. For example certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open will wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to fit an entirely new handle can be an easy DIY task and it can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you are using the latch could be a part of the knob or it could be an individual piece attached to the door itself. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will apply. Removing the old latch of its place is quite simple, especially if your door handle has what is known as a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little 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 isn't equipped with this magical button the first step is to take off any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them that you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep the screws that are shorter and have a pointed tip in a safe location to be able to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

You can now begin working on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the provided hardware. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism in the handle and is aligned 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 not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved up or downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project lets you replace your old strikeplate with an extended one, which will provide better security for your door and ensure it stays shut.

Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door handle repair plate, then try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate's hole, this means that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door depending on the door handle lock Repair, you might be able to simply attach the new strike plate in place over the old one, using the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first, and then chisel the wood to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too much or you may cause damage to the integrity of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate which provides the lock with a more secure grip on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws that secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to create space for the new one.

This hard-to-find strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's constructed of robust solid brass with an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws, so you can select the appropriate hardware to suit your needs. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip while machine screws are more blunt.