How to Replace Door Handles

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

Over time, your knobs on your doors may begin to feel 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 handles for double glazed doors on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and allow you to shut and open them. They come in a variety of colors, finishes, and types to complement your decor. If yours has begun to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade, you can replace them in a few easy steps.

You'll need to find the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the patio door handle Locks. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can access with an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a tiny slot, or hole, that allows you to press an activated detent pin that is spring-activated using a flathead. This pin lets go of 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. Be sure to align it properly and then test to see that the latch works correctly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the latch rod in position over the hole in the door and interlock it with the rod mechanism on the second knob. Make sure the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten them.

Some people choose a smooth or brushed metal finish for the door hardware to give their home a modern and sleek look. It will complement their other furniture. Others prefer a more rustic look which is great for rustic-styled rooms. If you have family members with mobility limitations You may want to consider choosing the rim lock or lever style door knob that require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door upvc handle window design, other factors are being taken into consideration as well. Accessibility and infection control are key considerations when it comes to developing new designs for handles. For example certain window handles for upvc can be operated using a person's arm.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open can wear down over time. It is simple to replace the latch on your door handle. This will result in a big difference in how it opens and closes.

Depending on the kind of knob you have depending on the type of handle 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 situation, the same procedure for removing and reinstalling is applicable. Removing the old latch of the way is relatively simple particularly if your door upvc window handle replacement has what is known as a "magic button". The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is what you need to press to pop the latch right out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this magical 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 with the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small slot inside that you can insert your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that hold the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws that are shorter with a sharp tip - you will have to store them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. Once the screws are removed you can remove the latch plate and mechanism out of the hole in the door and set it aside.

You can now begin installing the new latch. Place the latch plate in the door hole and secure it with the hardware provided. Make sure that the square pin on the interior of the latch is facing the latching mechanism of the upvc handle window and aligns with the screw holes on the other sides of the handle. Then fix the exterior latch plate with the provided screws.

Strike Plate

It is typical to replace a door handle if it feels loose, or isn't locking properly. This is typically caused by malfunctioning parts of the latching mechanism, such as a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or down on the doorjamb with time. This simple project will allow you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will provide better security and will keep your door shut.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door, and then try to latch it. If the mark is below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch because the plate is too short. If the mark is higher or below the strikeplate hole the strikeplate is likely to have been moved upwards or downwards on the doorjamb.

You may be able simply to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed using the screws that come with it, based on your door. You may have to drill holes first and then chisel some wood out to ensure a perfect fit. If this is the case, be careful to not chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the integrity of the doorjamb.

You can also try installing a new strike plate that provides the lock with a stronger grip on the door and requires more force to open it. It usually requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate to the door frame. You'll have remove the previous strike plate, then drill and chisel the wood to make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and has a heavy-duty thickness. It's made to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right hardware for your job. Be aware that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.