How To Install A Sliding Door Lock

If you are a home owner who has a balcony or patio and you to replace or install a sliding door then you wil also need to install a new sliding door lock. Most glass sliding doors do not even come with any locks but with a latch-able pull handle. This is a big security concern because a sliding door with out a lock can easily be compromised. The latches can easily be opened in a variety of ways. Fortunately you can easily install a lock on your sliding door to make it more secure. Here is a quick guide that can help you to install a sliding door lock.

1. Clean the sliding door track

You can use a broom to sweep out the dirt and dust in the track of the sliding glass. Clean both the front and back of the track. You will need to open the doors and sweep all areas along the track. The broom will loosen the dirt. Then, take a vacuum and vacuum all of the dirt. If the track is very dirty, remove the doors completely and clean with soap and water and scrub with a brush. Allow to completely dry before going any further.

2. Mark your first mounting hole

Secondly you need to alighn the lock at the bottom of the sliding door. You can tap your finger on the base of the outer door, and listen to find where the glass ends in the base. Mark this spot clearly with a marker. Then place the lock up against the inner door and align the bolt in the lock with the mark you made. Make sure the lock is straight; then use your marker to draw a circle in the top screw hole of the lock. This will be where you drill the first mounting hole.

3. Dril the first mounting hole

Take a steel punch; place it in the center of the hole you marked. Then, slightly tap the punch with the hammer. This will cause a small indentation. Next, use the drill to slowly drill the hole out. Be careful not drill to deep because you might crack the glass behind the frame. Also, be sure to apply steady pressure.

4. Mark your second mounting hole

Attach the lock to the inner door frame be screwing in one screw in the hole you drilled. After you carefully tighten the screw and make sure the lock is aligned properly, use your sharpie to make another mark in the other screw hole.

5. Dril the second mounting hole

Follow the same procedure used in step 3 to punch and drill the second hold needed to install the lock. Again, remember to use even, steady pressure when drilling to avoid cracking the window.

6. Mark the hole for the lock bolt

Attach the lock by screwing the screws in to the two holes you have drilled. Next, push the lock bolt in and use the marker to draw around the bolt to create a pattern to be drilled out. Then, remove the lock again by unscrewing it.

7. Dril the hole for the lock bolt

Lightly tap an indentation in the mark with the punch and hammer. Then begin with a 1/8th inch drill bit and drill the hole. Then use a ½ inch drill bit to widen the hole.

8. Install the lock and test

Reattach the lock using the two screws. Then push in the bolt to make sure that the bolt slides into the bolt hole. Unlock the lock with the key, and repeat several times to make sure the lock works correctly.

Installing a sliding door lock wil make your home more secure. Our local locksmiths can assist you with installing any kind of locks for your home.