How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles of your home are an essential element of your design. A new handle can transform your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.

Over time, your door knobs may become stiff, or even break. These are signs that it's time to replace them. This guide will help you pick the correct upvc door handle replacement handle replacement (Aboutdirectorofnursingjobs.com) for your home.

Door Knobs

The handles on your doors will improve the look of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They are available in a wide variety 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 change them in just a few simple steps.

You need to locate the spindle, or shaft through which the knob is attached to the victorian door handle. Some knobs have a tiny opening that can be used with a screwdriver for removal of the set screws that hold the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole in which you can use a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated pin called a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you pull or push the knob.

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

After you've replaced the knob, put the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have one of your family members who has mobility issues, you may prefer an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are becoming more important too. Infection control and accessibility are key considerations in the creation of new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open will wear down as time passes. The replacement of the latch to fit a new handle can be a simple DIY job and it can make a big change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle you have, the latch may be part of the knob itself or it could be an independent piece attached to the door. In either scenario, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling will be used. Getting the old latch out of its place is quite simple particularly if your door handle is equipped with what's called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pop the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle isn't equipped with this magic button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that sit over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed using a screwdriver to pry them off the handle. Some have slots where you can place your screwdriver. Other handles just snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the inner plate and latch to the door handle. It is important to keep these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe location in order to reuse them later. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and mechanism from the hole and set it aside.

Now you can start on the new latch. Install the inside plate of the latch into the hole in the external door handles and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the mechanism for latching inside the handle, and that it lines up with the other screw chambers of the door handle. Then, push the outside latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle replacement handle because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually caused by misaligned parts in the latching system, for example the strike plate being too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb over time. This simple fix allows you to replace your old strike plate with a new, longer one that can provide greater security and keep your door closed.

To check if the problem is caused by the strike plate, apply lipstick or similar marking material on the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below your strike plate hole, it indicates 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 the doorjamb.

Depending on the double glazed door handle, you may be able to install the new strike plate into the door over the old one, using the screws that come with it. However, you may need to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel out some of the wood to make sure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

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

This hard-to find strike plate is made from solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a sharp edge, whereas the machine ones are more blunt.