How to Replace Door Handles

The door handles for upvc windows of your home are an important element of your interior design. A new handle can elevate your home's decor and bring your decor to the present.

Over time your knobs for your doors can begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indicators that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the best door handle replacement upvc door handles for your home.

Door Knobs

The upvc window locking handles on your doors will enhance the appearance of your home and make it easier to open and close them. They come in a wide variety of colors, finishes and styles that will complement your decor. If yours is beginning to show signs of wear or requires an upgrade You can change them in just a few simple steps.

The first thing you have to find is the shaft or spindle through which the knob is affixed to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use a screwdriver to remove the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a thin slot, or hole, that you can press the spring-activated detent pin using flathead. This pin releases the latch mechanism and lets you to pull or push the knob.

Once you have the spindle, or shaft in your hand take the knob off and replace it. Align it correctly and check that the latch is working properly before tightening new set screws.

After replacing the knob, place the latch rod over the door's hole. Secure it by securing it to the rod system on the second knob. Ensure that the holes are aligned then tighten the screws on the latch plate.

Some people prefer an brushed or smooth metal finish for their door hardware, giving their home a sleek and contemporary style. This can be matched with their furniture. Others prefer a more rustic design that is a good match for rustic-styled rooms. If you have members of your household who are unable to move, you may be interested in a rim lock or lever-style door knobs, which require less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics have been the primary consideration for door handle design, other factors are being taken into consideration too. Infection control and accessibility have been key issues in the development of new handle designs. For instance certain handles can be operated using the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the handle of your door open may wear out over time. It is simple to replace the latch on your upvc door locks and handles window handle upvc. This will result in an enormous difference in the way it opens and closes.

Depending on the type of handle you are using the latch can be a separate component or a part of the knob. In either scenario, the same procedure to remove and install will apply. Getting the old latch out of the way is relatively simple, especially if your door handle has what is called a "magic button". Located on the side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and out of the latching mechanism.

If your handle doesn't come with this button, you'll need to remove the cover plates placed over the latch plate. These are usually rectangular or circular and can be removed using the help of a screwdriver. Some have a tiny slot in them that you can insert your screwdriver into, while others simply snap off.

Then, unscrew the machine screws that attach the latch and the plate to the door handle. These are the screws with a pointy tip - you will be required to keep them in a secure location to reuse them in later steps. After the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole and put it aside.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Insert the latch plate into the door hole and secure it using the hardware provided. Make sure the square pin on the inside 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 fix the exterior latch plate using the screws supplied.

Strike Plate

It is common to replace a door handle when it feels loose, or does not lock properly. This is usually due to incorrectly aligned parts of the latching system, for example a strike plate that is too short or has moved upwards or downward on the doorjamb with time. This easy project allows you to replace your old strike plate with a longer, new one that will give you better security and ensure that your door stays shut.

To determine if the issue is due to the strike plate, apply some lipstick or similar marking material to the latch bolt. Close the door and try to latch it. If the mark is located below the strike plate hole this indicates that your door won't latch due to the fact that the plate isn't long enough. If the mark is over the strike plate hole, it's likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

It is possible to put the new strikeplate in place over the existing one by using the screws supplied with it, depending on the door you have. But, you may have to drill holes prior to drilling and then chisel some of the wood to ensure it's a snug fit. If this is the situation make sure you don't chisel out too much wood or you may ruin the strength of the doorjamb.

Installing a new style box strike plate will give the lock a stronger hold 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 existing strike plate, then drill and chisel out the wood to make room for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's designed to be used on antique rim locks. It comes with wood screws and machine screws, ensuring that you have the correct equipment for your task. Remember that wood screws have a pointed tip, while machine screws are more blunt.