Patio
Door Handles &
Patio Door
Locks
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Patio door handles and
locks fall under the subject of
accessories to your patio. I’m saying this
because there is an unwritten rule I tend to
adhere to when it comes to accessories such as
these.
Now let me first give the
small print. This is different from one region
to another and obviously has its
exceptions.
The rule is that I
generally don’t spend more than $50 per item on
this type of accessory.
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Most
of your financial resources should go toward better looking
and better quality furniture and lighting, as your patio is
there to be enjoyed.
Nevertheless, a fully functional handle and
lock is important to
have.
Handles come in varied shapes and sizes.
Chances are that you will find something that fits in well
with the frame of your patio door panel and also subtly
blend in with the surrounding décor.
Your
door panel will mostly determine the type and design of
patio door handle (or sliding patio door
handle) that you end up choosing. The most regular
materials are:
Aluminum patio door
handle
This
is arguably the material you’ll find most frequently in
patio door handles. Off course this is in varied forms.
Among these is Finish Hook style, surface mounted handles
with vinyl decoration. These are normally sold as lock sytem
also. You’ll also find black painted aluminum patio door
handles. They also generally have a wooden finishing adding
to its visual charm. Many homeowners also go for the powder
coated aluminum. These are available in basic handle designs
and more complex designs for multifaceted lock and handle
systems.
Wood patio door
handle
You
may guess that these go well with wooden patio door frames.
It’s all about ‘blending in’ when it comes to selecting your
patio door handle and locks. The wooden patio door handle
ranges that the market offers are varied. They are available
from the simplest designs to intricate, stylish door handles
that make more of a statement.
As
stated before, this is a basic accessory and in the ‘bigger
scheme of things’ doesn’t require a great deal of your
attention. The web is full of online vendors that offer a
range of patio door handles. Alternatively your local
hardware store will be the best place to shop around for
your patio door handle.
Equally important is choosing
the patio door lock that will go ‘hand in hand’
with your door handle.
Patio Door
Locks
Burglar entry through you patio door is the
most common. If your patio door is not fitted with a
multi-lock system, it’s essential to fit extra locks. These
are hard police facts and not stuff I’m making up. The
simple truth is that you have to secure your patio door, and
one of the most effective ways to do so is through
installing more or better-quality door
locks.
If
you have an older patio door, read this very carefully.
Chances are that the lock on your patio door is probably not
adequate and up to the task of providing you the security
you need. Even if you have a security bar in place, ask
yourself this - Are you willing to put the safety of your
family at risk for a mere $50 spent on a locking
system?
But enough of the
doom and gloom; let’s see what we can do about
this,
If you have
reservations about your current locking system, it’s best
to install a replacement lock to enhance your security.
The ease of installation depends on the type of lock
(e.g. mortise vs. surface mounted) as well as the type of
door frame. Wooden and aluminum patio door frames will
provide an easier work environment than uPVC and vinyl
patio doors. If you are not a gifted craftsman, spend a
little more by hiring an expert. The cost can be much,
much more if the installation effort is a
disaster.
We’ll dive into a
bit more detail when we cover sliding door patio locks
when we look at the different type of patio locks on the
market. Consumers can be confident to know that there are
many to choose from.
You can choose between both keyed and
unkeyed locks which can either be fixed at the top or
bottom tracks. Or perhaps go for the very popular foot
operated patio door lock.
There is generally no direct
‘linear relationship’ between the difficulty of
installation and effectiveness of the lock. Simply put,
just because it’s easy to install doesn’t mean it won’t
work. Therefore look for a quality brand that has an
established presence in the market as opposed to a
complex locking system that will probably provide more
headaches for you than anything
else.
One last note.
Before installing a new lock, check with the manufacturer
if it will affect the warranty on your patio door.
Significant additional fixtures may negate the warranty
you have on your patio door and can therefore cost you in
the long term.
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