We often tend to undervalue just how much influence the fixtures in our home can have on its look, feel and overall décor. After all, it’s just a small door handle or drawer pull.
Well, you will be surprised by how the subtle details of fixtures or hardware can produce a huge difference and provide your home with an affordable and immediate style uplift.
When you need everything to come out perfectly and use the same type of handles throughout the house, you can buy a door handle multi-packs and equip multiple doors in one go.
Say if you are changing your door handles with the new ones that are easy to install and cover the existing screw holes in your interior doors, they are sure to style your room décor with an elegant update.
That said, if you replace your door handles without care and skill, you could end up making things look much worse.
Follow our simple tips to avoid any DIY blunders, which will transform your internal door quickly. You might not believe it but changing/replacing your door handle is a quick and easy job.
Know your Backplate Dimensions and/or Rose Size
Measure the backplate dimensions of the backplate or rosette diameter of the existing door handles. While purchasing your new lever door handles or door knobs, check their dimensions to ensure that they will cover all the existing/old screw holes and marks from your previous used handles.
Try to avoid choosing a particular design before you check all of the existing holes’ location – you will need to be sure that whatever option you choose covers them easily.
Don’t forget about the Backset Measurement
If you fit handles on a new door, you will need to install a latching mechanism, a UK standard mortice latch or a mortice lock. You must calculate the backset measurement required for your latch or locking mechanism.
The length from the centre of the spindle hole all the way to the door edge is the backset measurement. Usually, this measurement is either 45mm or 57mm in a standard UK internal door.
If you are replacing door handles on an existing door, you do not need to change the latch or lock if the existing ones work smoothly. You can also revive your existing door locks by lubricating them with WD-40.
However, if you are replacing your old and tired latch or door lock mechanism with a new one, you should look at your current doors’ backset measurements.
It is always best to install the same sized lock or latch as your old one that was already installed – this will dramatically reduce the work involved in the process.
Check The Spindle Size
When installing and fitting your new lever handle and keeping the same sized latch or lock, you should always assess your spindles’ thickness or the follower.
All door handles delivered by Hiatt Hardware are supplied with the standard UK sizing spindles, which is 8mm², allowing your new handle spindles to fit nicely with your door handles as well as UK standard door locks with ease.
For bathroom door handles, the distributor also provides UK standard bathroom spindles 5mm² required to operate bathroom locks.
The Latch and/or Lock Size
Are you replacing any old door latches?
If so, you need to assess and consider the forend’s size (faceplate of the lock) and the striker plate (you will find this on the door frame). This is important, as your door will have been morticed for the current latches and locks.
When installing a new latch, you should select one that is larger than the current option, as it will hide the cut-outs.
If you think that this is not enough and you are looking for more information related to replacing/renewing your existing door handles, finding the part names, or finding a pair of door handles that is right for your DIY project, please read this article: How to change door handles.
