Replacement Door Handles Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

How to Replace Door Handles

Door handles are an essential part of the decor of your home. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.

Over time the knobs on your door may become stiff or even break. These are indications that it's time to change them. This guide will help you choose the appropriate replacement door handle for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles enhance the appearance of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours have started to show signs of wear or require an upgrade You can replace them in a few easy steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can put the screwdriver with a small diameter to release the set screws holding the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated pin called a detent. The pin opens the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure to align it properly and then check to ensure that the latch is working correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the latch rod in position over the door's hole and lock it in place with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are in alignment, then tighten the screws for the latch plate.

Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware to create a sleek, contemporary look that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Some people prefer a rustic design that is perfect for farmhouse-style rooms. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you might want to choose a lever style or rim lock, which requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For example some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds your door handle open is prone to wear and tear due to age and use. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly 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 have to press to pop the latch out of the handle.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magical button, the first step is to take off any cover plates that are positioned over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pry them off of the handle. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

Next, you will want to remove the two machine screws holding the latch and the inner plate to the door handle. You'll need to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe place so that you can reuse them later. After these screws are removed, you can take the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and place it in a safe place.

Then you can begin to install 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 in the handle and aligns with the other screw holes in the handle. Then, secure  trowbridge door handle repair  using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching system, such as the strike plate being too small or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This easy project allows you to replace your existing strike plate with a new, longer one that will provide better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the latch bolt to check if it is the strike plate. Close the door, then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it means that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is above or below the strikeplate hole, the strikeplate has likely been moved up or downward on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have depending on the door, you might be able to attach the new strike plate into the door over the old one using the screws included with it. But, you may have to pre-drill holes and then chisel a bit of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you could damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger grip on doors and will require more force to open them. It usually requires two larger screws to fix the strike plate into the door frame. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate and then drill and chisel the wood to create 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 durable solid brass in an extremely thick. This kit includes both wood screws and machine screws so you can pick the right hardware to suit your needs. Make sure to note that wood screws have a sharp tip, whereas the machine screws are more blunt.