replacing interior door latches - why so difficult!

fraser

Hello,

we are updating our door handles and found with the new door handle the latch is not strong enough - i.e. the handle sags due to weight of the new handle.

so I am looking at a newer latch assuming the spring will be stronger than the older union ones. (house is from the 60's so the latches have seen some action over the years)

however finding a latch to match as it were is proving very difficult!

the latch is

76mm lockcase
57mm backset
95mm plate height
50mm backset height

similar to this
G4050 Mortice latch @
http://www.imperiallocks.co.uk/

the last 2 measurements are proving the killers

any advice from people who have done this?

options as far as I can see:

1. find a lighter handle
2. new latches from somewhere
3. new latches that are smaller, fill spare space with wood and filler
4. new doors, latches and handles
5. don't bother updating

thanks

ic

All my new handles came with springs built into each handle (each side of the door). None of the latches I've used (different makes around the house) have ever had much of a spring to them - certainly not enough to hold up the weight of the handles.

fraser

have you just stuck with sagging door handles ? or stayed with the older versions?
thanks

ic

What I meant was that the handles support themselves and do not rely on the latch - there's effectively three springs, one in the latch, and one on each side of the handle. I've also seen it where only one side is sprung.