By Frank Fourchalk
Question: We have a patio door with a plastic locking handle. To lock the door latch, we simply push the toggle down and it locks into the frame of the door. Are we secure with this type of locking mechanism?
Fourchalk: Not at all! Sliding patio doors should have auxiliary locks installed. There are many patio door locks on the market and it is best to consult your local locksmith as to which ones are most effective.
An inexpensive way of securing your glass door that slides on the inside is to lay a piece of 1/2-inch wood doweling in the inside track. This will prevent an intruder from prying the door open.
If your patio door slides on the outside, you can still secure the door by wedging the wood doweling between the handle and the stationary door. This will prevent prying, but you must address the fact that an intruder can still lift the door out of the track.
Installing 3-inch self-tapping screws in the top track above the door will eliminate the space between the top of the sliding door and the top of the track. This will assure you that your door cannot be lifted out of the track from the outside when closed.
*NOTE*
From Lee Alderman
Manager
Always Affordable Locksmiths Ltd
New Product
The CAL Double-Bolt Lock works by securing the door to the frame at 2 security points and preventing any movement of the door. With its double locking action the CAL Double-Bolt Lock makes it virtually impossible to remove the door by lifting it off its track.
