Door Handle Replacement
It's worth it to replace door handles if you aren't happy with the way they look, or if they are difficult to use. With a bit of patience, you can install an entirely new handle in a short time.
Modern door handles are often equipped with cover plates which hide the screws to give them an attractive look. However, you'll need to attach them separately if your new handle does not have them attached already.
Removal of the old Handle
Door handles aren't just an an important aesthetic addition to your home but they're also crucial for safety as they allow you to lock and unlock your door. As time passes, the door handle may start to lose its grip or feel loose. It might also begin to look old and worn. This is a clear indication that it's time to replace the door handle.
One of the first indications that your door handle requires replacing is the fact that it is becoming difficult to operate. This is an issue because it means that you are unable to no longer lock or unlock your door, which could create a security risk for you and your family.
Another reason to replace your door handle is when it's damaged or broken. A damaged or broken door handle is dangerous, particularly for elderly or children members who struggle to open it. They could become trapped. Fortunately, window handles 's fairly simple to fix a damaged door handle by replacing the handle that was broken.
The majority of modern door handles are standard size and therefore will fit on any door. If you aren't certain if the new door handle you are buying will work, take out the old one and take measurements of its holes in the housing. This will allow you to buy the correct sized door handle.
It is the easiest way to remove the old door handle by removing it from the door. Usually, a screwdriver is used. Some door handles have an enclosure plate that hides the screws that mount them. You'll need to remove this to get to the screws. After you've removed the old handle, take a note of how the spindle is attached to ensure you are able to make sure it is aligned when you put in the new one.
Alternatively, you can remove the door handle by uncrewing it from the latch mechanism. This is usually done using the screwdriver, but you'll need to find the small latch, which should be at the edge of the trim piece. After you have removed the latch, you can remove the handle from the strike plate, and then remove the latch away from the door's edge.
Take off the Strike Plate
You'll need to replace your latch plate when you replace the handle. It's the part that holds the hole through which the latch for the door is inserted when the door closes. The box that the new handles come with will offer two different latch plates - either a rectangular or a circular one (see the diagram above detailing door handle parts). If you have an old rectangular latch plate, you can replace it with an oval one. This will let the latch hook into the strike plate and make the handle easier.
The first step is to remove the screw that is holding the latch plate. The screws are often quite tight and require a lot of force to loosen them. It might be beneficial to have a second person assist with this part if possible.
The latch plate should easily be removed from the door once the screws have been removed. If the latch plate is stuck or won't move, use a small file to scrape the edges. This may help free the plate up.
Now you can prepare the new strike plate to be installed. With the wood screws that were included with your new handles, screw the latch plate onto the inside of the doorjamb. Be cautious not to tighten too much the screws, as this can damage the strike plate.
If you're unsure whether the latch plate is in the right position Try closing and then opening the door to see whether it locks and closes correctly. If not then you'll need to adjust the strikeplate up or down, forward or back until the door closes properly.
If the door is moving or jiggling, then you may need to increase the size of the hole for latching in the strike plate. This is more frequent on older doors. It could be caused by wear and tear hinges that are too small, a wrong size latch, or a damaged strike plate. If this is the situation, follow the same procedure to adjust the strike plate, but with the use of a metal file instead the hammer and chisel.
Remove the Latch
The latch is a bent metal piece that slides into and out of a hole in the inside of your door. When you turn the handle, it pushes the latch forward which allows you to open the door. It also catches a hole on the door's frame so that the door stays closed. If your door wiggles when you close it, changing the latch might be all that's needed to correct the issue.
It's hard to see the screws that hold the latch to the door, however there's usually a small hole on the trim plate that allows you to insert a screwdriver into the slot and remove it. After taking off the trim plate you will be able to pull off the latch, as well as the bolts that hold it, as well as the spindle that holds it.
If the latch isn't able to be released you can try using a paper clip or a tool to release it from the handle mechanism. Place the item into the recessed slot of the latch and gently twist it or jiggle until you feel that the latch and handle are beginning to break off. You may have to repeat this process several times before you can remove the latch.
Once the old latch is removed it should be possible to slide the new latch into the slot without difficulties. Use your new screws to connect the latch to the strike plate or door frame. Make sure that it is correctly positioned in the slot, and aligned with the screw chambers.
Take note of the backset (the distance between the centre of the large hole on the front of the door and the edge) before installing the new handle. Verify that the size of the latch of the new handle is in line with the measurement.
If you're replacing the handle or latch or handle, or if your previous lock cylinder is damaged, then you will need an entirely new one. If you're not switching locks, a new lock should fit inside your existing recess, and work with your current keys. Make sure you select a latch with rectangular cover plates that match your old handles.
Remove the cover plate
Door handles can begin to look shabby with time, but if you replace them with a contemporary lever on rose design it's a simple and quick DIY project and decorating idea that can improve the overall appearance of your home. You can purchase complete sets of escutcheons, escutcheons, privacy adaptors and escutcheons.
To replace an internal door handle take off the cover plate (or rose) that covers the screws and mechanism. Find an release tab on the plate and employ a flathead screwdriver lift it off the knob. It may have an opening on one edge or be secured by a pin.
Remove the screw that is holding the handle in the interior and put it aside after the cover plate has been removed. It is also necessary to remove the screws that are holding the latch and the plates inside to the door, which you can accomplish by loosening them using the help of a Philips screwdriver. Then, you can remove the outer plates and latch plate from the door and set them aside.
Some doors don't have this gap. If yours isn't allow for a handle, you'll have to drill a hole into the door. This is the same process for opening a locked door, but you will have to be extra careful not to scratch the door's frame or frame.
After the holes are drilled then you'll need to install new door knob screws. Buy the same size as your old screws to prevent getting the handle that is too loose or tight. It's also necessary to install the new strike rod and latch plate that aren't included in most door handle sets.
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