How to Replace Door Handles

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

As time passes, your doors' knobs can start to feel stiff and even break. These are signs it's time to change them. This guide will help you select the correct door handle upvc replacement door handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door double glazing handles add to the aesthetics of your house while making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They come in a variety of finishes, colors, and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can change them in just a few easy steps.

You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is connected to the door. Some have a tiny hole that you can insert an incredibly small screwdriver to release the set screws holding the knob in place. Some have a small slot or hole that you can use the flathead screwdriver on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. This pin releases the latch mechanism and allows you pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft, in your hand, remove the old knob and replace it. Check whether the latch works before tightening new set screws.

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

Some prefer a smooth or brushed finish on their door hardware for an elegant, modern look that complements other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for spaces that are reminiscent of farmhouse. If you have a member of your family with mobility issues, you might prefer an rim or lever lock that require less pressure to operate.

Other aspects are being considered more and more for the design of door handles. Infection control and accessibility have been major considerations when it comes to developing new handle designs. For instance certain handles handle designs can be operated by the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that keeps your double glazing door handles handle open can wear out from age and use. Changing out the old latch to make room for a new handle can be an easy DIY project and will make a significant difference in how your door opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of handle you have the latch could be part of the knob itself, or it might be an independent piece attached to the door. In either case, the same process to remove and install is applicable. It's easy to remove the old latch, especially if you have doors with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this small pressure-slot is what you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't have this magic button you'll have to take off the cover plates placed over the latch plate. They are typically rectangular or circular and can be removed with the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them where you can slide your screwdriver through, while others simply snap off.

The next step is to unscrew the two machine screws that secure the latch and the plate to the external door handles and locks handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip and you'll need to keep these in a safe place to reuse them in later steps. After the screws have been removed, you can take the latch plate as well as the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

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

Strike Plate

One of the most frequent reasons for replacing the door handle is that it feels loose or doesn't lock 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 downward on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a longer one, which can provide more security for your door and will keep it shut.

Apply a lipstick or other marking material on the bolt that you are using to determine if it's the strike plate. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate 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 likely that the strike plate has been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

Depending on the door you have You may be able to just screw the new strike plate in the existing one, using the screws included 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 good fit. If this is the case make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you could damage the strength of the doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a more secure grip on the doors and will require more force to open them. Typically, it requires two longer screws that anchor the strike plate to the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to create space for the new one.

This hard-to find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both machine screws and wood screws, which means you'll have the right hardware for the job. Keep in mind that wood screws have a pointed tip, and machine screws have a blunter tip.