The Ultimate Glossary Of Terms For Replacement Door Handles
How to Replace Door Handles Door handles are a crucial part of your home's decor. A new handle will bring your home's decor and interior 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 the knobs. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement for your home. Door Knobs Door handles can enhance the aesthetics of your home, while making it easier for people to open and close doors. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be completed in just a few steps. The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a small opening that you can access with a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push the knob. Once you have access to the shaft or spindle remove the old door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure it is aligned correctly and ensure whether the latch works before tightening the new set screws. After replacing the knob, place the latch rod over the door's hole. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned, then tighten the latch plate screws. Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware for a sleek, contemporary look that complements other furniture in their homes. Some prefer a rustic look that works well with farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate. window handles www.repairmywindowsanddoors.co.uk are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Accessibility and control of infections are key issues that have led to the development of new and innovative designs for handles including ones that can be operated with the forearms of a person. Latch The latch that holds your door handle open can wear out from age and use. Switching out the old latch to accommodate the new handle is a simple DIY job and can make a big difference in the way your door opens and closes. Depending on the type of handle you use the latch can be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either situation, the same procedure to remove and install is applicable. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what's known as a “magic button”. It is located on the opposite side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull 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 remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver. Some have a small slot in them where you can put your screwdriver through, while others snap off. The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with sharp tips in a safe location to be able to reuse them later. Once these are off you can pull the latch plate and mechanism out of the door's hole and set it aside. Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it with the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch faces the latching mechanism of the handle and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then attach the latch's exterior plate using the screws supplied. Strike Plate One of the most common reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of the latching mechanism, such as a striking plate that's either too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut. Apply a lipstick or another marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate's hole, this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate may have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb. It is possible to install the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed by using the screws supplied with it, based on the door. However, you may need to pre-drill holes and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's snugly fitted. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb. You could also try installing a new box strike plate, which gives the lock a much 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. You'll have remove the previous strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make space for the new one. This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with an extremely thick. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for your job. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.