Replacement Door Handles: The Evolution Of Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles that you have in your home are an essential part of the design. A new handle will bring your decor and space modern.

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

Door Knobs

conservatory door handles handles enhance the appearance of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or you just want to upgrade replacing them is easy and can be accomplished in a couple of steps.

You need to locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole where you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called 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. Check whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then thread in the latch plate screws and tighten them.

Some prefer a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to give it a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look, which pairs well with farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have a member of your family who has mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock, which requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the main consideration when it comes to door handle design, other factors are becoming more important as well. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the creation of new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated using an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open can wear down over time. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will result in huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of knob you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the double glazed door handles itself. 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 the door handle is equipped with what's known as a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob is what you will have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually circular or rectangular and can be removed using a screwdriver in order to remove them off of the handle. Some have a small slot in them where you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off.

Then, remove the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a sharp point and you'll be required to keep them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed, you can remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Install the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the inside of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle and that it lines up with the other screw chambers inside the door handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the provided screws.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace the door handle is that it is loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as a strike plate that is too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This simple project will allow you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to just install the new strike plate in the door over the old one using the screws that come with it. However, you might need to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the case, you must be careful not to cut too much or you may damage the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger hold on the doors and require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the bifold door handle replacement. To do this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate and 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 a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit includes both wood screws as well as machine screws, allowing you to select the appropriate hardware for your requirements. Just remember that the wood screws have a sharp tip, while the machine ones are more blunt.