How To Lock A Sliding Glass Door From Outside[Easiest Ways]

Nowadays, a sliding glass door is very common in homes. People often desire to admire and experience the beauty of their outdoor garden not only from the outside but also from inside their rooms.

A sliding glass door is an excellent option that provides a seamless connection between the room and the outdoors, allowing you to enjoy the fresh air and abundant natural light while sitting inside.

Typically, sliding glass doors are designed to be locked from the inside. However, there are instances when individuals prefer to lock the door from the outside, especially when they are in the backyard, to ensure the safety of their children and protect their home from intruders.

So the question is…

How To Lock A Sliding Glass Door From The Outside?

Here I’ve listed some very simple and feasible methods to lock the sliding glass door from the outside.

Consult Your Local Locksmith [The Simplest Way]

This is one of the simplest ways to address such an issue because a locksmith knows well how to securely and safely do this job, without losing the look of your sliding glass door.

Take a picture of your sliding glass door and door latch and visit the nearest Locksmith shop at your place.

Manipulate Your Existing Sliding Glass Door [Manual Approach]

In this process, you’ll need to perform some technical work if you choose to do it yourself.

Lock And Key System To Lock Your Sliding Glass Door From Outside

You can secure your sliding glass door by installing a lock and key system on the door. While this may be inconvenient if you haven’t done it before, there are additional benefits to installing this system on your sliding glass door.

Installing a lock and key system on your door will not only allow you to lock your sliding glass door from the outside but will also prevent your children from accidentally opening the door. Additionally, it will help secure your home from intruders by preventing the entry of unwanted individuals.

Now that you understand the benefits of installing such a system on your sliding glass door, the question remains…

How To Install A Lock And Key System on Your Sliding Glass Door on Your Own To Lock It From Outside?

Here in this section, I am going to provide you with a step-by-step approach that will help you successfully install this system. So, don’t hesitate and keep reading.

If you intend to use your sliding glass door as a primary entry door, follow these simple steps…

Installation Instructions

• Wash The Door Properly

Before going further, you need to clean the dust particles from the door so that all the installation work can be done perfectly. You can use a solution of soap and water (It would be better to use mild warm water).

• Dry The Door Completely

After washing properly and Making sure all the dust and dirt are removed completely, Now it’s time to dry it out well. Use air-dry to dry quickly and thoroughly.

To remove the additional moisture, use a dry towel and wipe it over the surface of your sliding glass door.

• Locate The Right Spot For Further Process

This is a very important step. There’s no room for mistakes here, as even a small error could shatter the glass of your sliding door. So, please be cautious.

The process is quite simple. Take any screwdriver and hold it upside down. Then, tap its plastic end gently against the surface of the door where you plan to install the lock system. Examine the sound carefully until you notice a change.

When you notice a slight change in the sound produced by this tapping, it indicates a safe spot for installing the lock system, as the glass surface ends here.

• Install The Lock In This Marked Spot

In the above process you have found the right spot, now take a marker and mark this spot so that you do not make a hole in the wrong place.

Now place your lock system over this right spot and follow these steps:

1. Take a metal punch and use a hammer to make a small hole on the spot to tighten the lock system screws.
2. Now in this area use a drill machine to drill as deep as the screws rest completely inside it, and the locking system sits here firmly and securely.
3. Now use the mounted screws coming with the locking system and mount the lock system with proper attention.

• Installation Process of Latch Plate For Sliding Glass Door

Installing a latch plate is not a cumbersome job, even if it doesn’t require so many tools. After installing the lock system, close the door one or more times. This will create marks on the door frame.

highlight these marks by using a pencil and drilling some holes to fix the latch into the door frame.

Now, check if it is working by closing the door and moving the handle of the lock system. If the door doesn’t lock properly, rearrange the latch position until it fits the lock system.

Great job…

Now you are ready to lock and unlock the sliding glass door of your home from the outside.

Also Read: Larson Vs Andersen Storm Door[Don’t Make Mistake]

How To Choose The Right Sliding Glass Door Lock To Lock It From Outside?

Normally the sliding glass door is designed to lock from the inside, but if you want to lock them from the outside as well then there are a few lock systems available on the market that help to achieve this goal.

Note: One crucial factor to consider before choosing a lock system for installation outside your sliding glass door is to always select a lock that won’t open without a key.

Also Read: How To Lock Bedroom Door From Outside [5 Simple Ways]

Additional Lock For Sliding Glass Door For Extra Safety

After installing the exterior keylock system on your sliding glass door, you can add a safety lock just outside to provide extra security for your family.

Benefits of Using Such Extra Lock In The Sliding Glass Door

This simple lock can be installed at the top corner of your sliding glass door, where the door meets the side frame when closed.

Positioned at the top, it can only be easily accessed by taller individuals or older children, making it safer against accidental opening by young children.

Some such types of locks allow to lock the door in 2 positions:

• Close the door completely by sliding it to its endpoint.
• Close the door by sliding it to the left, leaving a few inches of space between the sliding glass door and the edge. This allows fresh air to come inside while the door remains almost closed.

Also Read: How To Prevent Someone From Unlocking Your Bedroom Door[Solved]

Conclusion

Regardless of the method you choose to lock your door, security remains the primary concern. Nowadays, people are increasingly seeking additional security measures for their homes, particularly for the safety of their children and to deter intruders.

A keylock system provides a cost-effective and beneficial solution to lock your sliding glass door from the outside.

Be sure to read the installation instructions and review all the safety features listed in the lock system’s packet before purchasing. This will help you understand how easy or difficult it is to use.

FAQ