How to Replace Door Handles

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

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

Door Knobs

The replacement double glazing handles on your doors can enhance the look of your home and make it easier for you to open and close them. They are available in a range of finishes, colors and styles to complement your decor. If yours are starting to begin to show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.

You'll need to find the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is connected to the door. Some knobs have a tiny hole that you can insert a narrow screwdriver into to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to press on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press the pin, the latch mechanism releases and lets you pull or push the knob.

Once you have access to the shaft or spindle, take the knob off of the door and replace it with the new one. Align it correctly and check whether the latch works before tightening the set screws.

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

Some homeowners opt for a brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware to give their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with their furniture. Some people prefer a rustic style that goes well with farmhouse-styled rooms. If you have members of your household with mobility limitations You might think about a rim lock or lever knobs for doors that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For example some uvpc window handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the aluminium door handle handle open will wear down as time passes. It is easy to change the latch on your door handle. This will make huge differences in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you are using, the latch could be a separate part or a part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. The process of removing the old latch of place is fairly easy particularly if your door handle has what is called a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this tiny pressure-slot is what you have to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll need to remove the cover plates that are placed over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed by using a screwdriver to pull them off of the handle. Some have a slot in which you can put your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip - you will have to store them in a safe location to reuse them in later steps. After the screws have been removed, you can remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

Then you can begin to install the new latch. Insert the latch plate into 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 of the handle and is aligned with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then push the exterior latch plate onto and secure it using the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons for replacing a door handle replacement handle is because it feels loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually 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 with time. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide better security for your door and ensure it stays closed.

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 try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole it means that the plate is too small and the door won't latch. If the mark is above the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down on the doorjamb.

Depending on your door, you may be able to screw the new strike plate into the Mila door handles over the old one using the screws included with it. It is possible that you will need to first drill holes and then chisel the wood to ensure a tight fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the strength of the doorjamb.

Installing a brand new box-style strike plate will give the lock a more secure hold on the doors and require more force to open them. Typically it will require two longer screws to secure the strike plate to the door frame. To do this, you'll need to take off the existing strike plate and then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This strike plate is designed to be used with antique rim locks and it's made from robust solid brass with a heavy duty thickness. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right hardware for the job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip whereas machine screws are blunter.