Replacing internal door furniture

Newbie2saving

Hi again,

I am modernising my new home and want to replace all the old brass door furniture with polished chrome. I've had all the light switches done, and the bannister brackets and it is looking good, but now it's the doors' turn! This is where I need help. I am struggling to know what to do as a total novice diy'er. My existing handles are the gold coloured ones with a fancy backplate. I want to replace with Victorian scroll. Ones I've seen are 150mm x 50mm, new ones (Carlisle Brass) are 118mm x 43mm. So unfortunately smaller. I can't seem to find anything bigger than what's on to cover any holes so what can I do???? Would filling be obvious?

Thanks for any tips....

Snappa

Yes, you should be able to take off the old handles and then use a wood filler to get rid of any previous screw holes. I've recently changed a few myself and didnt bother taking out the previous bars (not sure thats the correct terminololgy, but i'm referring to the metal rod connecting the two handles together), as they fitted the new handles and new latch ok.

If however they don't fit then use a flat drill bit to make the hole larger. Same applies for the latch which is inserted in the side of the door, use a flat drill bit to the correct size so that the latch is fully sunk into the door, then draw round the front of the latch and chisel out to the correct depth so that the latch sits flush in the door. Make sure its the correct height though as if you dont the bar will not run through the latch mechanism, and as such the handles will be useless.

LandyAndy

Changing handles is straightforward. Usually just undo four screws and slide the handle/backplate off of the bar. Slide the new ones on (the connecting bars are a standard size) and mark the new screw holes and drill. Do make sure you get the new plates exactly positioned because if they are squinty they'll annoy you for ever.:D

You'll have to rub down the woodwork, fill the old holes with a filler, smooth it down and repaint.

loracan1

LandyAndy wrote: »

and mark the new screw holes and drill.

Making sure that you don't use drill bits that will leave the hole just ever so slightly too big for the screws:o

Newbie2saving

Brilliant thanks for the tips. I am going to order the handles I've seen now. Thanks again.