12 Types of Sliding Glass Door Locks

Having an entire door made of glass is an excellent way to bring lots of natural light into your home. But for security’s sake, you want to consider the types of sliding glass door locks. Most people never think of it, but there are actually several different types of sliding glass door locks you can choose from.

Part of keeping your sliding door safe and secure is knowing which lock is the right one for your home. The most common types of sliding glass door locks include the following:

If you’ve been reading our articles, you can tell that we really love our smart locks at UpgradedHome. Though they tend to be most commonly associated with regular doors, there are some companies that are coming out with smart locks specially designed for glass sliding door use. They are aftermarket, which means that you buy them after the door is installed.

Smart locks all have one thing in common: they are controlled by your cellphone. So, you can unlock the door when you’re away, set schedules, and with some models, even get new users to be let in. Now, that’s a smart addition to your home!

For the longest time, there weren’t any smart locks for sliding doors. However, times are a-changin’, and that means that companies are starting to roll out new locks. Currently, only a few models are available on the market. The most popular smart lock on the market meant for sliding doors come from Yale, but you might be able to find others.

These types of sliding glass door locks are ideal for those who want to automatically open their sliding door for a pet or for accessibility reasons. Of all the locks on this list, smart locks are the most expensive. Installation is also not DIY-friendly, and it’s best to consult a professional.

Did you ever see a sliding door that had a small lock that you’d need to twist with your thumb? If so, you have seen an offset thumb lock. This is a lock that is usually built into the sliding door and is meant to work from the inside of the home. The user just has to twist the little nob with his thumb to lock the sliding door from the inside.

While these can be used for home security purposes, the truth is that they aren’t really good for security in this sense. Offset thumb locks are better for offices and other buildings where you want privacy. These latches are integrated into the handle, so when you turn the handle, the latch turns.

You could be forgiven for mistaking an offset thumb lock from a mortise and hook lock. These two look almost identical, and they are also both built into most of the doors that have them. Much like the offset thumb lock, you can toggle them by twisting a knob on your door. Unlike an offset thumb, these locks are not integrated into the handle.

Built into the sliding door’s pocket, mortise and hook locks are the most common type of sliding glass door lock. They are a little more secure than an offset thumb lock with a mechanism that can’t be harmed by a jammed handle.

As the name suggests, a keyed door lock is a sliding glass door lock that uses a key. This is very unique among sliding door locks because most of the models that we have mentioned don’t need a key to work. In most ways, a keyed sliding door lock acts a lot like the lock that you would get for your front door.

Keyed sliding glass door locks are considered to be some of the most secure door lock types on the market. If you are worried about break-ins or want to make sure that you have control over the lock, then get a keyed door lock. It’s worth noting that many basic patio doors have a keyed lock as well.

Do you have a door that doesn’t have a lock, but needs one in a pinch? If you don’t need a lock 24/7 or just want to have extra security, you might want to invest in a security bar. Security bars aren’t really a lock, per se. They are expandable bars that can be wedged between the spaces of a sliding door’s door gaps while it’s closed.

Security bars are often used as a backup to another locking mechanism and as a barricade against people who might try to force a lock open by picking it. Most of the time, people who use these tend to be concerned about people or animals who want to enter the home using force. This is often the last resort.

Spring-loaded patio locks are a little bit different than most others. These are generally made with key compatibility, but their mechanism is almost entirely spring-loaded. These are locks that are typically installed inside, near the top or bottom of the sliding door. The locks work by bolting the door into place. If they don’t have keys, you can usually pull or push the bolt out of the hole.

There are patio locks that can be installed on the outside. To ensure that you don’t have intruders breaking in, these models tend to have key entry. That way, people can’t get into your home without a key.

These are pretty simple and work very similarly to the pin-style patio lock that we mentioned earlier. Sliding door loop locks work by having a metal loop that fits into a holder right next to the sliding door. The main part of the lock is added on top of the door, while the holder is added to the wall closest to the door. When you want to lock the door, you fit the loop into the holder next to the door.

This type of lock is another aftermarket lock, which means that you can add it onto a pre-installed door without too much issue. However, many homeowners find this lock to be an eyesore. It’s up to you to decide whether or not this is something you want to add to your home.

Do you have toddlers who act like escape artists? If so, you might want to get window locks. These are locks that latch onto the sliding parts of your doors. When window locks are in use, they stop the movement of the sliding door, which means that you can’t actually open the door past a certain point.

Since these are pretty easy for adults to use but difficult for kids, they are often used on both windows and sliding doors of homes that have children. It’s the easiest way to make sure your toddlers don’t decide to take a walk on their own. The two little knobs clamp into place, which makes it a highly secure lock for kids who can’t help but try to go outside.

Since sliding door barricades utilize the strength of the floor to prevent the sliding panel from moving, they are a pretty reliable form of security. There are a number of different sliding door barricades out there to choose from, but the one manufactured by Nightlock is a popular choice. To install a sliding door barricade, you have to anchor the base plate into the floor using the included screws.

Since installation requires drilling, you must have the necessary equipment. Though, if you have a drill or screwdriver on hand, the entire installation process should only take about 20 to 30 minutes. Once you’ve finished installing the barricade, simply slide the lock rail toward the door to fasten the sliding panel.

Though, it’s important to note that this type of sliding door lock will only work on doors that have a sliding panel on the inside track. Unlike double-bolt locks, sliding door barricades do not protect the door from being lifted out of the track.

If you don’t have the budget to swing for a smart lock for your sliding door but still want a lock that is electrically powered, you may want to consider electromagnetic locks. These locks are not made exclusively for sliding doors, though. So, you may have to be a little creative to find and install one that fits your existing door.

For best results, opt for a surface-mounted shear magnetic lock with a holding force between 1,000 and 3,000 pounds. Though, you can alter the holding force based on the level of security you require. One component of the lock is installed on the door frame and the other is mounted on the door panel.

Of course, the main disadvantage to these locks is that they won’t work when the power is cut and will remain in an unlocked position.

They are and they aren’t. They can be outfitted with a number of reliable locks that can make them more secure. If you live in a decent neighborhood where break-ins aren’t the norm, a simple sliding glass door will be perfectly secure for what you have. However, it’s important to realize that sliding glass doors are not perfect.

The biggest detractor when it comes to sliding glass doors is the material: glass. It doesn’t take much for a typical glass door to shatter. So, if you have intruders who decide to go in via the sliding glass door, it’s quite possible for them to do so with a strong enough hit to the door.

Sliding glass doors are not ideal if you live in an area with extremely high crime rates. If you want to go for a more secure door, try to stick to wooden double doors. With that said, having the right lock and additional safety features can deter most criminals.

The biggest security issue that people have with sliding glass doors is the locking mechanisms. Sliding glass doors can only be locked from the inside. So, if you want to make sure your door is closed, you have to be in the house. This can be a major issue if you exit the house via the sliding glass door whether to do lawn work or run an errand.

The good news is that there are some workarounds. Keyed locks can be installed to face outside, and smart sliding door locks are operated from the phone.