Discover the Different Types of Sliding Glass Door Locks

If you own a house with sliding glass doors, you probably enjoy how they provide an almost flawless visual link between the inside and the outside. However, at the same time, you also need to realize the importance of securing these stunning doors by picking the right one from among the different types of sliding glass door locks. 

Apart from providing a stunning view of the outside, sliding glass doors let ambient daylight into your home or office and make a small space appear larger. 

Yet, simultaneously, it’s also crucial to know about the different types of sliding glass door locks and which ones to install in your home.

Sliding doors are pretty appealing as aesthetic features in your home. 

Yet, they also pose a significant security threat in your home as they offer burglars a clear view into your home and an easy entryway, too. In fact, it’s critical to secure both sliding windows and doors to protect your home.

According to a Forbes Advisor article, almost 2.5 million burglaries occur in the United States each year. House break-ins account for 66% of all burglaries.

As a seasoned security expert, I have helped many people secure their sliding glass doors, including my daughter. She has sliding glass doors on her patio. The sliding glass doors are a great design feature in her home and provide a clear view of her landscaped garden. However, I was always worried about security as my grandchildren are relatively young. 

So I rolled up my sleeves and got down to doing what I do best, i.e., create security solutions. Once I had helped my daughter secure her doors, I realized that I had plenty of material to do a highly-detailed article on the different types of sliding glass door locks that you can install to secure your homes. 

What are Sliding Doors?

Sliding doors or gliding doors slide horizontally by gliding on tracks to open and close. 

They’re either installed on a track or hung from it. Sliding doors can be used both internally and as exterior doors as well. 

As they open horizontally, they are great space-savers. They also help small, cramped spaces appear bigger and brighter. 

• Traditional sliding glass doors comprise at least two door panels that are a standard 5 to 6 feet in width. 
• These doors usually have a fixed and a movable panel and either open to the left or the right. 
• French sliding doors or patio doors have 2 sliding door panels that open or slide in opposite directions and leave a large opening in between. 

• These doors are an excellent option for large homes with well-designed outdoor features. They act as a great way to ensure a seamless transition between your indoors and the outdoors.
• You can also go for multi-slide patio doors for a better flow. 

Now that we have learned more about sliding glass doors and explored the different types of sliding doors that you can install at your home, let’s dive deeper into how they work.

How do Sliding Glass Doors Work?

The functioning of different types of doors, locks, and windows has always sparked my curiosity. Gaining a deeper understanding of how they function helps me create superior security solutions. 

To determine why sliding glass doors are the best choice for your home, let us see how they work. 

• Sliding doors move on top and bottom tracks made of steel, wood, or vinyl.
• Plastic rollers are placed at the top and bottom of sliding glass doors to make their movement smoother.
• Interior cabinet doors are often suspended from the top. Whereas heavier doors, such as outside patio doors, slide down the bottom rail.
• One moving pane and one permanent pane are standard components of exterior sliding glass doors.
• The rollers are modified to make doors glide more freely. Plastic tracks, if not already present, can be placed to keep the doors upright and straight on their tracks.

Why Get Sliding Glass Doors for Your Home?

Are you still debating whether or not to install sliding glass doors? If so, then you need to be apprised of the incredible advantages that they have to offer.

Let us look at the benefits of sliding glass doors or know whether they are worth the investment or not. 

Let’s get started!

1) Increased Natural Light

Sliding doors allow more natural light into your home than other types of doors. Therefore, they reduce your reliance on conventional lighting while also improving your mood by providing you with your daily quota of sunlight. 

You can install curtains or door coverings to maintain your privacy when required and open them up to enjoy the glorious outdoors whenever you wish. 

2) Provide a More Spacious Look

As mentioned above, sliding glass doors are great space-savers as they slide down a track instead of opening into a room. 

Sliding glass doors are not only pleasing to the eye, but they are also simple to install and maintain. These doors open up spaces, making a house or workplace appear larger than it is.

3) Can be Secured for Added Protection

Metal latches and gaskets hold sliding glass doors in place on their tracks, keeping them shut securely. The glass panes can also be protected by different shatterproof laminates that prevent them from being broken by burglars. 

Most of these doors are composed of safety glass, which is extremely strong and cannot be cut or destroyed by physical force, providing excellent burglar protection. For extra security and to open the gate from both sides, you can use sliding glass door locks with key.

4)  Require Low-Maintenance and Operate Silently

Sliding glass doors can be opened or closed while making minimal noise, though you have to take care not to bang them unnecessarily. This feature makes sliding doors a great addition to your home. However, they also make it easier for burglars to enter your house silently after breaking down your door lock. 

They are smoother to open and close when compared to other designs, and they require less maintenance. 

To clean sliding glass doors, you need to wipe the glass panes using need warm water, a sponge, and a soft cloth.

5) Increase the Value of Your Home

As per Zillow, a leading real estate website, installing sliding glass doors can help increase property value up to 13.4%. 

Additionally, if you install energy-efficient sliding glass doors, they can provide a significant return on your investment by lowering your utility bills. 

How Sliding Glass Doors Are a Security Challenge

Despite knowing that there are different types of glass sliding door locks around, a potential thief sees your sliding glass door as one of the most convenient options to gain entrance to your house and steal your belongings.

Luckily, there are ways to make your sliding glass door more secure. For example, installing sliding glass door locks with keys can do wonders for your home security and so on. 

Let us look at why sliding glass doors are so vulnerable?

1) They Are Usually Unlocked

It’s easy to leave sliding glass doors unfastened since they’re so convenient and allow easy access to your yard. If you often leave your sliding glass doors open, then sooner or later, a burglar is going to get in.

Pro-Tip: Install a sliding glass door handle with key lock to ensure that you lock your doors before stepping out or even going to bed at night.

2) The Standard Locks Are Easy To Get Around

A thief can easily overcome the standard locking mechanism on most sliding glass doors. When the panes are locked, the lock is usually a hinge that fits into the door frame. 

It’s a slice of cake for an experienced burglar to break this lock and enter your home by silently sliding open your glass door. 

3) They Are Out Of Sight

Most sliding glass doors are installed towards the back of the house, either on a patio or a balcony. 

As a result, criminals have complete protection and plenty of opportunities to break in unnoticed because of their remote location.

4) Breakable Glass Panels or Panes

The key feature of sliding glass doors is the glass that enhances your house’s look and helps connect your indoors and outdoors. 

However, at the same time, it is easy for thieves to break or cut open the glass and enter your home. That’s why you need to install unbreakable or shatter-resistant glass to secure your home against burglars. 

Common Ways Burglars Bypass Sliding Glass Doors

1. Smashing the Glass Door
   Burglars can destroy the laminated glass of the sliding door itself by tossing or smashing it with a heavy item for a more aggressive approach.
   
   
2. Breaking the Lock
   The majority of sliding doors feature a basic latch as a locking system. Home invaders can easily break or remove this lock by ‘jiggling’ the sliding door until it breaks.
   
   
3. Removing the Door from the Track
   Since sliding glass doors feature heavily loaded sliders that roll between tracks rather than hinges, criminals can damage movable or sliding panels and simply lift them out of their tracks.

Reviewing the Different Types of Sliding Glass Door Locks

Sliding glass doors operate very differently from ordinary doors, requiring the installation of specific types of sliding door locks.

Let’s take a look at the different sliding door lock mechanisms below:

1) Clasp Locks

• Sliding glass doors frequently employ Clasp locks. 
• A little lever on the door operates the clasp operation on these locks.
• This device is installed on the door’s interior shaft. 
• When someone turns the glass door’s lever, this clasp stretches out and hooks onto the little bar within the aperture.
• The lock secures a sliding glass door quite firmly to the door jamb and has a complex, sturdy mechanism that poses a serious challenge to the most experienced burglar. 

2) Foot Bolts

• Foot bolts are square-shaped locks that are screwed into the upper and lower corners of the door. 
• There is a spring-based bolt inside these locks.
• When the sliding glass door opens, the spring within the bolt compresses, allowing the foot bolt to enter the door lock, allowing the slides to open due to space constraints.
• To lock a door with foot bolts, press the button to free the spring; else, the door will be shut yet unlocked.
• One good option is the Andersen sliding door lock mechanism, which is a high-quality lock with great reviews. 
• You can get the Andersen sliding door lock mechanism at a bargain price online. 

3) Cylinder Locks

• Cylinder locks are a good choice for someone searching for a high-end or high-quality security system.
• It is a sliding glass door lock with key.
• The cylinder is connected to one end of the door, and the key is used with it. 
• The cylinder locks are fixed in the middle of the door panel. 
• These locks also employ a lever that engages with a stationary bar above the door frame and secures it in place.

4) Security Bar

• Security Bars or jammers close a set of sliding glass doors by placing a bar at the lower end of the sliding track and restricting the door’s movement.
• These locks are made from solid metal to prevent intruders from entering forcefully.
• They are not suitable for use in public places where the doors are used frequently. They are best for private residences where these doors are located towards the back of the house and used less frequently.  
• You can easily buy security bars online or from your nearest hardware shop. 

Factors to Consider While Shortlisting the Types of Sliding Door Locks

If you are searching for a sturdy and dependable lock for your sliding glass doors but are unable to tell the good ones from the bad, don’t worry as you can consult my list of key factors below. 

So, take it easy!

Here’s a list of the factors you must consider while picking the best sliding door lock mechanism for your home. 

1) Cost

One of the most important considerations when purchasing locks is that expensive locks give greater security, implying that the higher the price, the greater the protection. However, some locks are inexpensive and still provide good security.

My advice is to read the reviews and get a sturdy lock at a price point that you are comfortable with. 

2) Strength

You should get a robust lock that is strong enough to support the patio door from being opened forcefully.

While there are different types of sliding door locks available in the market, pin and mortise locks are great at keeping intruders out of your house. 

3) Security Rating

As security is a top concern for everyone, it is essential to consider a lock’s security rating when purchasing a door lock. 

Before purchasing any lock, try to look at the grade it’s been given by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI. While Grade 1 locks are the most secure and Grade 3 the least, a Grade 2 lock is not a bad option either. I would advise you to go for locks with a Grade 1 or 2 rating, anything else, and it’s not worth your time or effort.

4) Ease of Installation

I always tell my clients to get locks that are easy to install; otherwise, they will end up paying a higher price for them if they have to call a locksmith to install them. 

Most sliding door locks are easy to install. However, if you still feel unsure of yourself, you can always watch a few instructional or DIY videos on YouTube or even follow the instructions listed in the booklet that comes with the lock. 

As we all know by now, a sliding glass door handle with key lock is effortless to install and can also be operated from the inside and the outside.

Different Types of Sliding Glass Door Locks to Secure Your Doors

As discussed before, there are different types of sliding door locks available in the market. 

Here, I have listed down the different types of sliding glass door locks, along with their benefits and drawbacks:

1. Mortise Sliding Door Locks

Mortise locks seem to be the most popular lock used on sliding glass doors. In reality, most sliding doors have a mortise lock built into them. When looking at the sliding glass door from afar, it rests within the pocket, making it completely undetectable. You can also install a sliding glass door handle with key lock that provides double security and, with the help of a key, can be used from both inside and outside.

Pro-Tip: If your sliding door came with a preinstalled mortise lock, I strongly advise you to install a supplementary lock, such as a dual screws lock, to keep intruders from pulling it off the track.

2. Keyed Sliding Door Locks

Keyed locks are a great option if you want a sliding door lock that can function from both inside and outside. As the name indicates, they are installed into the door’s pre-built knockout hole. These locks will fit into the hole on your sliding glass door if one is pre-built into the gate. Several models of sliding glass door locks with keys are readily available in the market and on Amazon.

Pro-Tip: Keyed sliding glass door locks (mainly hook locks) are not the ideal solution if security is a priority, in my experience, because a key-based lock is typically not difficult to defeat.

3) Two-Bolt Sliding Glass Door Locks

A double bolt lock operates independently of any existing mortise or another type of lock that may be preinstalled on your sliding glass doors.

Two-bolt locks are classified as secondary locks. You can fit in these locks very quickly as they are genuinely easy to install and hard to break down.  

4) Loop Locks

Loop locks are classified as secondary locks and can be mounted fast and simply on an existing door. These locks are installed at the top of the glass door from the inside. One part of the lock is attached to one side of the door and the other to the frame.

Pro-Tip: The primary purpose of loop locks is to fasten the sliding glass door to the frame.

5) Track Locks

Track locks are simplistic yet genius security devices that are firmly secured to the track of a sliding door or window and operate as a barricade to restrict any movement. 

Track locks (slider locks) are one of your best alternatives if you need a quick fix but do not want to bolt or drill into your doors or floor.

Pro-Tip: You can also use tracks locks to open your sliding doors just a little bit. This helps you keep your house well-ventilated while also restricting any outsiders from opening your door any further.

Bonus Tips

As stated throughout the article, sliding glass doors are a great statement feature in any space, yet, they also represent a major security concern. 

While I have already taken you through the several types of sliding glass doors that can protect you against break-ins, let’s also take a look at a few bonus security tips.

1) Get an Alarm System and Glass Break Detector

Getting an alarm system that triggers whenever anyone tries to break in or tamper with your exterior doors is a great way to secure your home.  

Not only does the loud alarm sound scare away any intruders, but criminals are also less likely to break into a home with an alarm system.

Installing a glass break detector on the window is also a smart move as it alerts you as soon as the sliding glass door glass breaks. 

2) Install a Second Lock

Most sliding glass door locks come with a preinstalled latching or lock system. However, since these locks are not often very dependable, it’s a good idea to install a second lock. You can pick any one lock from the ones listed above. 

Before installing an extra lock, make sure you check your local building codes. Sliding glass doors must be operational from the inside without keys in some cases. But in case you want sliding glass door locks with key, you can get a good one from your nearest hardware shop.

3) Apply Shatterproof Film

Installing shatterproof film to your sliding glass doors allows you to keep enjoying your favorite views of the grand outdoors without worrying about security. 

The shatterproof film stops criminals from smashing your door’s glass and gaining entrance quickly. Security film can be colored or transparent, depending on your tastes. It will even deflect flying debris, which also helps in protecting your property during storms.

4) Door Blocking Bars

You can also stop outsiders from opening your sliding glass doors by placing a steel or wooden bar between the door jam and the fixed glass door. 

This way, even if a thief breaks through the clasp, the physical barrier prevents the door from being pushed open. If possible, the bar should be long and strong enough to enable only a small opening.

5) Replace or Clean the Tracks

Try to clean the track every alternate day or according to your schedule. It’s considerably simpler to knock the door off its track when stones, mud, and leaves accumulate beneath it. If the track has gotten excessively worn or deformed over time, a sliding glass door professional can assist you in replacing it.

FAQs

Q.1 Can you put an exterior lock on a sliding door?

Answer – You’ll have to put in a lock and a key. 

While this may appear annoying, it will improve your property’s security and prevent burglars from entering. 

It can help little children from accidentally opening the door and going out when the adults are occupied somewhere else. 

One of the best sliding glass door locks with key available on the market is the Prime-Line C 1033 Sliding Glass Door Handle Set. 

Q.2 How to fix a sliding patio door lock mechanism?

Answer – As sliding patio doors are opened and closed several times every day, their locks are prone to jamming or breaking. Therefore, you may have to repair a jammed-up sliding patio door lock mechanism from time to time.

The steps to fix a sliding patio door lock mechanism are:

• First, you need to determine the model number and name of your lock.
• Using a screwdriver, remove the door’s handles.
• To stop the latch from dropping into the doorframe, reattach the lower screw in the hole connected to the handle.
• Pull off the latch mechanism and its cartridge by carefully unscrewing two screws at the latch’s end.
• Bring the latch to your nearest hardware shop to be replaced. Install the replacement latch by reversing the previous instructions.
• If the problem persists, you should buy a new sliding glass door lock with a key.

Q.3 Are there smart locks for sliding doors?

Answer – Yes, they do exist. Surface mount locks are the most common type. They have features like fingerprint locks, auto-locks, and mobile apps to improve home security.

Q.4 What to do when your uPVC sliding door lock mechanism is stiff and sticking, and the key is difficult to turn in the open position?

Answer – Yes, this might be due to dust build-up or severe temperatures. A uPVC door will expand or contract in severe temperatures, causing difficulty locking the door and the lock mechanism. Internal parts of the lock mechanism and the lock gearbox might compress and extend, making the lock stiffer than usual.

If this occurs frequently, you may consider upgrading to a higher-quality door or door lock.

Q.5 How to fix the Pella sliding door lock mechanism?

Answer – Fixing a Pella sliding door lock mechanism is easy; just follow the steps given below:

• Open the Pella sliding door wide enough to stand and operate between the door edge and the door frame.
• To pull the door latch out of the door, lower the lock lever on the side of the door.
• Using a flat-head screwdriver, turn the adjustment nut on the door edge, immediately above the door latch, backward. The latch will begin to move closer to the door edge.
• Close and lock the door. 
• To ensure there isn’t too much movement between the door and the frame, withdraw the door handle.

Q.5 How do I fix a Pella sliding door lock mechanism that won’t open?

Answer –

• Spray a little amount of graphite powder into the keyhole or any other section of the mechanism.
• Then move the key around.
• If you fear the lock pieces have rusted, spray on them with a spray bottle. Do not overspray as it tends to attract dust.
• A small amount of water is usually enough to loosen the mechanism and unlock the lock.
• The Pella door lock mechanism has now been loosened.
• Remove the nuts holding the latching to ease the movement of stiff Pella sliding door locks.
• After that, move the strikes a few mm higher or below.
• If the strikes are misaligned, the door may be difficult to lock and release.
• To raise the door’s rollers, tighten the screws on the inside of the door near the ground.

Conclusion

After reading the article, you are now aware of the different types of sliding glass door locks. I have also talked extensively about the varied sliding door lock mechanisms that you can install to secure your doors. It’s not always simple to pick the perfect model, but my list should make it a little easier.

As a rule of thumb, the combination of a mortise (or surface-mounted keyed lock) and a secondary lock provides pretty solid protection.

If you end up following my advice, do let me know whether or not these locks worked out for you. You can also tell our readers which specific sliding patio door lock mechanism would you recommend.