How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles in your home are an essential element of your design. A new handle will bring your home's decor up-to-date.

As time passes, your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to change the knobs. This guide will help you select the appropriate replacement upvc door handle door handles (a fantastic read) external door handles euro lock handle for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to shut and open them. They are available in a wide range of finishes, colors, and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade it is possible to replace them in a few simple steps.

You must locate the shaft, or spindle, through which the knob is attached to the door. Some have a small hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to remove the set screws that hold the knob in place. Some have a thin slot or hole through which allows you to press a spring-activated detent pin with flathead. The pin opens the latch mechanism, and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Check that the latch is working properly before tightening the set screws.

After replacing the knob, put the rod for the latch into the hole on the door. Interlock it with the rod system on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned then thread the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some people opt for a smooth or brushed metal finish on their door hardware to create an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may prefer a lever style or rim lock that requires less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of patio door handle handles. Accessibility and infection control have been key issues in the development of new handle designs. For example some handles can be operated using an arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down over time. Switching out the old latch to accommodate a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it will make a huge difference in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have, the latch may be a part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece that is attached to the door. In either case, you'll need to follow the same steps to remove and replace. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially if you have doors with a "magic" button. This tiny pressure-slot, found on the side knob is what you need to press in order to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle does not have this button, you'll have to take off the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have slots where you can put your screwdriver, while others just snap off.

Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these screws with an angled tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin in the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism inside the handle and is aligned with the other holes for screws in the handle. Then, secure the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is not uncommon to replace a double glazed front door handles handle because it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by incorrectly aligned parts of 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 project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut.

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 the strike plate's hole, it means 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.

You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on the door. 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, be careful not to cut too hard or you'll cause damage to the strength of your doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will provide the lock with a stronger grip on doors and require more force to open the doors. It usually requires two longer screws to anchor the strike plate into the frame of the door. You'll need remove the previous strike plate before drilling and chiseling the wood to make room for the new one.

This rare strike plate is made of solid brass and has a thick, heavy-duty. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, so you'll have the correct hardware for the job. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, whereas machine screws are blunter.