7 Easy Tips For Totally Rocking Your 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 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 them. This guide will help you select the correct door Handle for patio door 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 of window handles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in a few steps.

The first thing to do is locate the shaft or spindle through the knob's attachment to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert the screwdriver with a small diameter to loosen the set screws holding the knob in place. Others have a thin slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated pin, also known as a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check that the latch functions properly before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the latch rod over the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned then tighten the latch plate screws.

Some homeowners opt for an brushed or smooth metal finish for the door handle repair near me hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. It will complement their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have one of your family members with mobility issues, you may prefer the lever or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.

Other factors are being considered more and more for the design of door double glazed handles. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. It is simple to change the latch on your door handle. This will make a big difference in how it opens and closes.

Depending on what kind of handle you choose, the latch could be a separate piece or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same procedure to remove and replace. 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". The tiny pressure-slot, which is located on the side knob is what you will have to press to pull the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not come with this button, you will need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a slot where you can place your screwdriver, whereas others just snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the shorter screws with a sharp point - you will have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in subsequent steps. Once the screws are removed you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and put it away.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace a door handle is because it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to misaligned parts in the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.

Apply some 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 lower than your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. 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.

Depending on your door, you may be able to attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the situation Be careful not to chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.

You could also try installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger hold on the door and requires more force to open it. Typically, it requires two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll have to remove the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel 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 constructed of sturdy solid brass in an extremely thick. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, ensuring that you have the right equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.