How to properly attach a handle to a door?
No matter how complex the mechanism or decor of the door handle is, its installation can be done in a few standard steps.
Step 1. Selecting accessories
As already mentioned, the handle should match the design of the door itself and the interior of the room as a whole. Thus, the modern high-tech style is best suited to laconic chrome-plated handles. For a room in the Rococo or Baroque style, luxurious ornately shaped handles with gilding are suitable.
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In addition to the handle, the visible door fittings are the hinges, which means the hinges and handles must be made in the same color. Find out more in our material about door hinges.
It is also necessary to take into account the purpose of the door and the characteristics of the room where the door is located.
It is imperative to clarify the method of placing the lock. Namely, the method of its attachment in relation to the handle - a separate installation of the locking mechanism is required or it is built into the handle. Preliminary measurement of the thickness of the door leaf is important not only for sliding doors. It will be difficult to install a lock and handle designed for a massive entrance door into a thin interior door. If the lock cylinder and handle are located under one escutcheon, it is necessary to take into account the size of the internal elements of both mechanisms so that they do not interfere with each other’s operation.
When purchasing, it is advisable to hold the handle and squeeze it in your palm. Protruding elements should not leave a clear imprint on the skin. Otherwise, using the pen will be unpleasant. In addition, there should be no burr on the handle.
Step 2: Locate the Handle
Before you start marking and drilling, you need to decide on the location of the handle.
The distance between the handle and the edge of the door leaf is regulated by the size of the mechanism and the length of the tongue, if any. If the handle is stationary, it should also not be placed too far from the edge. This arrangement will make it difficult to open/close the door.
For ease of use, the installation height of the door handle is also important. This parameter is easy to calculate when approaching the door - the installation height of the door handle is determined by the level of the belt. The height of the handle directly depends on the height of the regular user, which means that the level of the handle in the living room and children's room will be different. The height of the handle on public doors, such as the kitchen and bathroom, should be at an average level, usually 80 - 120 cm from the floor.
Step 3. Marking the location of the handle and its fastening on the door leaf
Having determined the location of the handle, it is necessary to prepare the canvas for making holes for installation. The standard length of the tongue in the lock is about 60 mm. This is exactly how much needs to be set aside from the edge of the door. A straight line is drawn through the resulting point parallel to the end edge of the door leaf. Next, using a square at the required height, draw a perpendicular line to the end of the leaf, along the end of the door and again along the other side of the leaf at a distance of 60 mm.
To clarify the dimensions of the hole for the mechanism, it must be freed from the lining, attached to the door and the boundaries of the groove are drawn. If the door is equipped with a separate locking mechanism, it is necessary to make markings for it as well. Marking the door for a lock is carried out in a similar way.
Don't forget to mark the place for the tongue exit on the end of the door. This place should be exactly in the middle of the thickness of the canvas.
All marks must be made carefully and accurately. Reducing the dimensions may lead to difficulties in installation or may interfere with the free movement of mechanism parts. A hole that is too large will be visible under the trim and ruin the overall appearance.
Step 4. Making holes for the handle and lock elements
For drilling large diameter holes, there is a special drill - with a crown. To avoid damaging the opposite side of the canvas, you should not try to immediately drill a hole through the entire thickness of the canvas. It is optimal to drill to about half the required depth. Next, it is better to continue drilling from the opposite side until the channels are connected. This trick will not only protect the appearance, but will also ensure the correct movement of the channel under the mechanism - strictly perpendicular to the surface of the canvas.
When drilling, you need to hold the drill strictly perpendicular to the blade. Deviations are unacceptable; this will lead to distortion of the mechanism and incorrect or short-lived operation of the handle and lock.
After preparing the groove for the mechanism, you can begin to create a hole for the tongue and bolt of the lock. This must be done very carefully and carefully. An excessively wide passage can damage the door leaf during operation and create a noise effect. It is better to cut the hole using a chisel.
Which lock to choose for the front door
Step 5. Directly installing the handle
After making the necessary holes, you can begin attaching the handle. Before screwing, it is worth marking and using a thin drill to mark the places for screwing in the bolts directly holding the handle in the door. The purpose of pre-drilling is to ensure that the handle attaches neatly and the latch functions properly. If the bolts for connecting the halves are hidden by a cover plate, it must be removed before installation using a special key. The key must be included with the handle.
Step 6. Making a slot in the door frame
After attaching the door handle and installing the lock mechanism, you need to mark and cut a groove in the door frame where the tongue and bolt of the lock mechanism will be hidden. There are two marking methods.
First option. A coloring substance is applied to the installed dog: ink, paint, chalk, toothpaste, etc. Then, with the door closed, pressing or rotating the handle makes a mark on the door frame. This option is convenient if there is a very small gap between the door and the frame or it is covered with a decorative overlay on the door leaf
Second option. With the door closed, the level of the tongue is marked using a ruler inserted between the door and the frame.
Next, according to the mark, you need to select the material of the door frame. After making sure that the groove is of sufficient size and the tongue extends completely, you can attach the metal trim.
After completing the installation work, you must make sure that the handle is attached correctly. If the lock works without difficulty, the bolt is easily controlled by the key and securely fixes the door, opening/closing the door does not cause difficulties, the handle is installed correctly.
The door handle installation instructions provided are suitable for most interior door handles. Installation of the handle for the front door in most cases is carried out by the manufacturer. This situation is explained by the complex design of the lock and the need for special precision during installation. In addition, entrance doors are made of particularly durable metal, which is difficult to drill with home tools.
