Why No One Cares About Replacement Door Handles

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are a crucial part of the decor of your home. A new handle will bring your decor and space up to date.

As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff or even break. These are signs it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and allow you to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and styles to match your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a couple of easy steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put a narrow screwdriver into to remove the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have replacing a window handle tiny slot or hole that you can use to press the spring-activated detent pin using a flathead. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hands take the knob off and replace it. Be sure to align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening your new set screws.

After you've replaced the knob, hold the rod for latching over the door's hole and then lock it using the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some people choose a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary appearance. It will complement the furniture they have. Others prefer a more rustic style, which pairs well with spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that require 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 have been major considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For instance, some can be operated with a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down over time. The replacement upvc window handle replacement door handles and hinges (by m.maymedic.com) of the latch to fit the new handle is a simple DIY job and it will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you use the latch can be a separate component or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you'll need to follow the same process to remove and replace. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". This little pressure-slot, located on the side knob, is the one you'll need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.

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

The next step is to loosen the two machine screws that hold the latch and inner plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip and you'll need to keep these in a secure location to reuse them in subsequent steps. After the screws have been removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism in the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then, push the outside latch plate on and secure it using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is usually due to malfunctioning components of the latching mechanism, for example a strike plate that's too short or moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and keep your upvc door handles replacement closed.

Apply some lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to determine if it's 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 the door replacement uPVC door handles you have, you may be able to simply screw the new strike plate in the door over the old one with the screws that come with it. It is possible that you will need to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, you must be cautious not to chisel too hard or you'll ruin the strength of your doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two larger screws to secure the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the existing strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to create space for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has an extremely thick. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. This kit comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you can choose the right hardware for your needs. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed point, while machine screws are more blunt.