Replacement Door Handles Explained In Fewer Than 140 Characters

How to Replace Door Handles

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

Over time, your knobs on your bi-fold Doors handles may begin to feel stiff and even break. These are indications that it's time to replace the knobs. This guide will help you select the right door handle replacement double glazing handles for your home.

Door Knobs

Door handles for patio doors can enhance the aesthetics of your home while also making it easier for people to open and shut doors. They are available in a variety of finishes, colors and styles to match your decor. If yours is beginning show signs of wear or just need an upgrade, replacing them is relatively simple and can be done in a couple of steps.

You must locate the shaft, or spindle through which the knob is inserted to the door. Some knobs have a tiny opening that you can use an screwdriver to take out the set screws that keep the handle in place. Some have a slot or hole in which can be used with a flathead screwdriver to push on a spring-activated nut, known as a detent. When you press this pin, the latch mechanism releases and allows you to pull or push on the knob.

After you have ahold of the spindle or shaft, take off the door knob and replace it with the new one. Make sure you align it correctly and check to ensure that the latch functions properly before tightening the new set screws.

After replacing the knob, you can place the rod that is attached to the latch over the hole on the door. Lock it in place using the rod system on the second knob. Make sure that the holes are aligned and then thread in the screws on the latch plate and tighten the screws.

Some people opt for the smooth or brushed finish for their door hardware to create modern, sleek design that is a perfect match for other furniture in their homes. Others prefer a more rustic style that is a good match for farmhouse-styled spaces. If you have someone in your family with mobility issues, you may want to choose an rim or lever lock that requires less pressure to operate.

While aesthetics are traditionally the primary consideration for door handle design, other aspects are increasingly being considered as well. Accessibility and control of infections are key considerations in the development of new designs for handles. For instance some handles can be operated with the arm of a person.

Latch

The latch that holds the door handle open may wear out as time passes. Changing out the old latch to fit the new handle is an easy DIY project and it will make a significant change in the way your door opens and closes.

Depending on what type of handle you use the latch may be a separate part or an integral part of the knob. In either case, you will follow the same procedure for removing and replacing. It's simple to take off the old latch, especially in the case of a door handle with a "magic" button. The button is located on the left side of the knob, this little pressure-slot is the one you need to press to pull the latch out of the handle and off of the latching mechanism.

If your handle does not have this magic button, the first step is to remove any cover plates that rest over the latch plate. They are typically circular or rectangular and can be removed using the aid of a screwdriver. Some have a small hole in them that you can slide your screwdriver, whereas others snap off.

The next step is to remove the two machine screws that secure the latch and inner plate to the door handle. You will need to store these shorter screws with a pointed tip in a safe location in order to reuse them in the future. Once the screws are removed, you are able to remove the latch plate and the mechanism from the hole, and then set it aside.

Now you can begin installing the new latch. Place the inside of the latch into the hole in the door and secure it using the hardware supplied. Make sure the square pin that is 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 exterior latch plate onto and secure it with the screws provided.

Strike Plate

One of the most common reasons to replace a bifold door handles handle is because it is loose or doesn't lock properly. This is usually due to misaligned components in the latching mechanism, such as an unbalanced strike plate that is too small or has moved up or down on the doorjamb as time passes. This project allows you replace your old strikeplate with a more substantial one, which can provide better security for your patio door handle with lock and ensure it stays shut.

To check if the problem is due to the strike plate, apply lipstick or a similar marking material to the bolt that is used to latch. Close the door and attempt to latch it. If the mark is lower than your strike plate hole, it indicates that the plate is too small and the door will not latch. If the mark is higher than the strike plate hole, it's most likely that the strike plate has been moved up or down the doorjamb.

You might be able to put the new strikeplate in place over the one you have already installed using the screws included with it, based on the door you have. However, you may need to drill holes first, and then chisel a bit of the wood to make sure it's a good fit. If this is the case make sure you don't be too rough with the chiseling process or you'll damage the integrity of the doorjamb.

You can also consider installing a new box strike plate that will give the lock a stronger grip on the double glazed front door handles and requires more force to open it. It typically requires two longer screws to fix the strike plate in the frame of the door. To accomplish this, you'll need to remove the current strike plate, then drill and chisel away the wood to make space for the new one.

This difficult-to-find strike plate is made of solid brass and comes with a heavy-duty thickness. It's specifically designed to be used with antique rim locks. It comes with both wood screws and machine screws, so you'll have the right equipment for your task. Just remember that wood screws have a pointy tip, while the machine screws are more blunt.