Backwards sliding door lock

[Steve]

My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.

If I was her big brother, I'm sure I could figure it out, but alas, I'm
her younger brother...

[Pat and Chris]

I don't think it was installed backwards. The simple solution is to cut a
broomstick or large dowel so it's a few inches shorter than the width of the
fixed door. Then just lay the dowel in the track while the door is closed.
It will prevent the sliding portion from moving more than a few inches, and
it can't be reached or moved from the outside.

BTDT,
Pat McC.

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.
If I was her big brother, I'm sure I could figure it out, but alas, I'm
her younger brother...

[Chris Lewis]

Post by Pat and Chris
I don't think it was installed backwards. The simple solution is to cut a
broomstick or large dowel so it's a few inches shorter than the width of the
fixed door. Then just lay the dowel in the track while the door is closed.
It will prevent the sliding portion from moving more than a few inches, and
it can't be reached or moved from the outside.

There are devices on the market that do a better/more secure job of
this. A broomstick, dowel, or the traditional (Canadian ;-) solution
of using a hockey stick handle is probably best left to those situations
where you don't want the door open at all, and it's just backing up the
door lock.

[Abe]

Post by Pat and Chris

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.

I don't think it was installed backwards. The simple solution is to cut a
broomstick or large dowel so it's a few inches shorter than the width of the
fixed door. Then just lay the dowel in the track while the door is closed.
It will prevent the sliding portion from moving more than a few inches, and
it can't be reached or moved from the outside.

Yeah, the door is installed correctly. Are you sure about not being
able to drill it? I've never seen a patio door where there wasn't at
least an inch of space that could be drilled. A picture would help.

If it really can't be drilled, then either a dowel or charley bar are
your only choices.

[rickster]

Pat sounds right to me. My doors have the moving part on the inside, like the OP describes. And I use one or another kind of pole in the channel

[Steve]

Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.
If I was her big brother, I'm sure I could figure it out, but alas, I'm
her younger brother...

[Chris Lewis]

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

You'll want to see if you can get the door fixed then.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Post by Chris Lewis

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

You'll want to see if you can get the door fixed then.

It is not broken though.

[Stormin Mormon]

This is Bob Barker, reminding you to help keep the house population
under control. Get your sliding glass window fixed.

More seriously, call a glass company out, please.
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the

sliding

Post by Steve
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

You'll want to see if you can get the door fixed then.

[Abe]

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

Well, geez. Thanks for wasting our time.

Get the door fixed first.

[Edwin Pawlowski]

Post by Abe

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

Well, geez. Thanks for wasting our time.
Get the door fixed first.

Some brands have the sliding portion the outside. Pella for one. They also
have a locking mechanism that allows the door to be partially opened, about
6" or so.

[Steve]

Thanks .. the local Pella dealer has the type of door, but doesn't sell
any 'partial' locks.. but did say Peachtree has a similar line. I have
emailed them.

Post by Edwin Pawlowski

Post by Abe

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

Well, geez. Thanks for wasting our time.
Get the door fixed first.

Some brands have the sliding portion the outside. Pella for one. They also
have a locking mechanism that allows the door to be partially opened, about
6" or so.

[Stormin Mormon]

The door and your post are both backwards. There's a certain sense of
synchronicity in the air.
--
Christopher A. Young
You can't shout down a troll.
You have to starve them.
.

"Steve" <***@gmail.com> wrote in message news:***@i3g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

[l***@fellspt.charm.net]

Post by Steve
Thanks for the replies.. but I meant, the problem is that the sliding
part is on the OUTSIDE. The broomsticks, dowels, locking bars won't
work.

<>
Are you certain that both sides of the door don't slide?

[mikeymikemikers321]

replying to Steve, mikeymikemikers321 wrote:
Check online for locks to rectify your issue.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/backwards-sliding-door-lock-139782-.htm

[Be]

I have the same problem. Have you found anything

[Grampy]

Home Depot sells several locks that would allow a door to be locked in an open position. It is very commonly used in homes with an elderly person who cannot leave the house on their own.

Here is one example. It mounts on the sliding door, and a hole for the pin is drilled into the lower frame of the fixed panel at a point where you want the door to be locked open.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Prime-Line-Diecast-Aluminum-Keyed-Step-On-Sliding-Patio-Door-Lock-U-9882/10012936

[workinstiff]

I just installed one of the metal bar locks from HD or LWS and it was
able to be installed with the sliding door on the outside. It also was
setup to lock in a venting position.
good luck

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.
If I was her big brother, I'm sure I could figure it out, but alas, I'm
her younger brother...

[CanopyCo]

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards!

How about putting a standard chain latch on it.
The kind that lets you open a door to see who is outside without
letting them get in to easily.
Some of the ones that are a single solid loop of steal that hooks over
a hook on the door is pretty strong.
If it was installed right at the top of the door an intruder may not
even find it and waste all his time trying to find what is holding the
door.

[Steve]

I had thought of that one also, but she has watched too many TV shows
and doesn't like the chain idea..

Post by CanopyCo

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards!

How about putting a standard chain latch on it.
The kind that lets you open a door to see who is outside without
letting them get in to easily.
Some of the ones that are a single solid loop of steal that hooks over
a hook on the door is pretty strong.
If it was installed right at the top of the door an intruder may not
even find it and waste all his time trying to find what is holding the
door.

[CanopyCo]

Post by Steve
I had thought of that one also, but she has watched too many TV shows
and doesn't like the chain idea..

Maybe she would like this one.
If you reversed the short bar to act like a hook there is no way it
could come loose short of ripping it out of the wall.
Busting the glass would be easier and quieter.

http://www.lockandhinge.com/scripts/main.cgi?action=big&product=482

[David Martel]

Steve,

Without a diagram I'm not sure of your problem. Why don't you remove all
the hardware, flip the doors over, install the hardware, and put in the
sliding door on the inside track?

Dave M.

[Steve]

It is a 33 year old house. A pretty big job to flip the doors/frame.

From the inside of the house, there is a fixed panel on the left half

of the patio opening - not on a track. Next to it on the outside, there
is a track which holds the sliding door. With the track on the outside
a track stop won't work. She's nixed security chains.. and I don't
think there is enough clearance for foot bolts into the bottom of the
sliding door (glass too low). Peachtree and Pella have patio doors
that are set up this way. I've asked both for ideas / parts to lock
door partially open and they don't have a way. Just hoping someone else
has solved this problem.. thanks to all for feedback / suggestions

Steve.

Steve,
Without a diagram I'm not sure of your problem. Why don't you remove all
the hardware, flip the doors over, install the hardware, and put in the
sliding door on the inside track?
Dave M.

[George E. Cawthon]

Post by Steve
My sister has she would like to lock partially open - a typical glass
sliding patio door - except it appears to have been installed
backwards! The sliding porting of the door is on the inside of the
house. The fixed portion is outside. She would like to be able to
'lock' it open a couple of inches for air flow. If the sliding portion
was outside, a simple locking bar against it and the fixed portion
would work, but as it is reversed, the bar would be on the outside. I
thought about putting a locking pin in the top or bottom, but there is
not enough clearance to drill the frame with out hitting the glass. I
suggested a door lock chain, but she doesn't like that idea.
If I was her big brother, I'm sure I could figure it out, but alas, I'm
her younger brother...

My sister also has one of those, but I don't
remember how it looks. Looking at my door as if
it were put in backwards, you could drill through
the top part of the frame and into the door. On
my door you would drill through a 1-1/2" thick
piece before getting to the door. The glass in a
door doesn't usually extend more than 1/2" above
the bottom of the top part of the frame. Your
door could be different but I would have another
look at drilling a hole(s)to slip a nail into.
Good Luck.

[mikeymikemikers321]

replying to Steve, mikeymikemikers321 wrote:
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

--
for full context, visit https://www.homeownershub.com/maintenance/backwards-sliding-door-lock-139782-.htm

[Oren]

On Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:14:02 GMT, mikeymikemikers321

Post by mikeymikemikers321
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

Oh jeez. If the slider is on the outside, the door was installed
bass-ackwards. The stationary panel is outside on a double door
slider.

If you need to get in, use a red fire axe.

[Ed Pawlowski]

Post by Oren
On Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:14:02 GMT, mikeymikemikers321

Post by mikeymikemikers321
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

Oh jeez. If the slider is on the outside, the door was installed
bass-ackwards. The stationary panel is outside on a double door
slider.

Pella makes doors like that with the screen on the inside.

[Tekkie®]

Oren posted for all of us...

Post by Oren
On Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:14:02 GMT, mikeymikemikers321

Post by mikeymikemikers321
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

Oh jeez. If the slider is on the outside, the door was installed
bass-ackwards. The stationary panel is outside on a double door
slider.
If you need to get in, use a red fire axe.

I'm on call...

[Oren]

Post by Tekkie®
Oren posted for all of us...

Post by Oren
On Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:14:02 GMT, mikeymikemikers321

Post by mikeymikemikers321
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

Oh jeez. If the slider is on the outside, the door was installed
bass-ackwards. The stationary panel is outside on a double door
slider.
If you need to get in, use a red fire axe.

I'm on call...

[Tekkie®]

Oren posted for all of us...

Post by Oren

Post by Tekkie®
Oren posted for all of us...

Post by Oren
On Wed, 07 Mar 2018 19:14:02 GMT, mikeymikemikers321

Post by mikeymikemikers321
What you described above is a properly installed sliding door. With the
sliding mechanism on the inside you just put a wood dowel or small clamp
preventing the slider from moving. This cannot be done if the sliding
mechanism is in the outside.

Oh jeez. If the slider is on the outside, the door was installed
bass-ackwards. The stationary panel is outside on a double door
slider.
If you need to get in, use a red fire axe.

I'm on call...

http://youtu.be/W2NFkCNIDxI

KG needs me to rescue her...