Patio Sliding Door Lock issue ?

[bigdog]

Need suggestions regarding patio sliding glass door lock. When door is locked I have no way to open the door from the outside, as I don’t have a key.
There are no markings on door or lock.

Property is new to me and prior owner does not have a key.
Suggestions on how to find door model, brand, so I can get a key made without hiring a lock-smith.

Thanks !

[Descant]

Is this a a condo or other development where a neighbor would have the same door? How about the Realtor?

[John Mercier]

Is the door vinyl or wood on the inside?
And does it have any markings on the glass in the lower corner of the panel?

[TheProfessor]

Take to a locksmith. Or have locksmith go to your place.
Or.
Just purchase a new lock mechanism.

[John Mercier]

To purchase a new locking mechanism, you need to know who manufactured the door. They are not universal.

The door is currently operating like it was purchased without a locking mechanism.

Depending on the year of manufacture... the glass is etched with either the Cardinal or Guardian label if manufactured in the US or some times Canada.

But knowing if it is wood or vinyl helps me know whom may have manufactured the unit.

If the unit is newer, then after they unlock and open the patio door from the inside they can look up... manufacturers place labels on the head jamb with information that they can use to get the correct replacement parts for a unit.

[ApS]

Of the many sliding glass doors I've seen in Florida, all locked only from the inside. Perhaps because burglars gain easy access to the inside by prying the doors upwards--and out of the track--. (The locking mechanism is usually only a hook that can be bypassed by prying the entire door upwards with a screwdriver).

To view any identifying data, you can try the prying-upwards "workaround", with this caution: glass doors are heavy.



There are "try-keys" around. I have several rings of "try-keys" with dozens of keys on them, but they're only for certain vintage cars. Check your toolboxes, file cabinets, shed or trailer locks to see which keys "work" in the keyway. They aren' likely to actually unlock your door; however, the brand of lock can then be determined--a good start.

[TheProfessor]

A good locksmith may have a universal key.

A good locksmith can/could tell exactly what brand the mechanism is.
Or.
Provide a replacement.

Depending on age of home one can find out who builder was.
Town Hall will have copies of building permits with names.
Ask the builder - if still around.

Lumber yards and hardware stores may be able to help. If you take lock to them.

Ask Gus - the 81 year old guy - that has worked at lumber yard or hardware store since high school.

Gus knows everything.

[bigdog]

Originally Posted by Descant

Is this a a condo or other development where a neighbor would have the same door? How about the Realtor?

This is a condo/development, where others have SAME door.
FYI, Door is Metalon trim /face plates, door is about 15 yrs old.

Will look at glass for Mfg markings, and maybe check neighbors door as well if I can't see any.

Thanks EVERYONE for your great feedback, much appreciated !!!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by bigdog

This is a condo/development, where others have SAME door.
FYI, Door is Metalon trim /face plates, door is about 15 yrs old.

Will look at glass for Mfg markings, and maybe check neighbors door as well if I can't see any.

Thanks EVERYONE for your great feedback, much appreciated !!!

As the Professor said a good locksmith is your best bet. If the door opens the hardware set can easily be removed with a couple of screws and brought to a locksmith which will save you a house call expense. This would be a VERY simple and inexpensive job.

Good Luck!

Dan

[John Mercier]

Originally Posted by bigdog

This is a condo/development, where others have SAME door.
FYI, Door is Metalon trim /face plates, door is about 15 yrs old.

Will look at glass for Mfg markings, and maybe check neighbors door as well if I can't see any.

Thanks EVERYONE for your great feedback, much appreciated !!!

I need to know the inside.
Some very old units would be all aluminum... those are no longer manufactured as they do not meet energy codes and have not for some time. But many are in service and work fine.

Other are Metal outside and wood inside (sometimes factory painted so they can look very much like vinyl).
These would most likely come from the major brands - Pella, JeldWen, Andersen, or Marvin (Though if old enough could have come from units that went bankrupt or were bought out by them). The glass codes tell me when the units were manufactured, and if you open the door and look up... more modern units will generally have the Product ID tag in the track that the door slides in. Sometimes they would place it to the side, but the change was made to avoid the fading of weather/UV.

Some units will have very inexpensive cylinder replacements, with decent instructions.

[1helpfulhandyman]

Google Blaine hardware and or Strybuc hardware. They specialize in old door and window hardware. You can send them pictures of the lock and they will probably be able to identify it and help you ! Good luck !

[Descant]

Originally Posted by bigdog

Need suggestions regarding patio sliding glass door lock. When door is locked I have no way to open the door from the outside, as I don’t have a key.
There are no markings on door or lock.

Property is new to me and prior owner does not have a key.
Suggestions on how to find door model, brand, so I can get a key made without hiring a lock-smith.

Thanks !

Re-read the OP. My immediate thought is to see if condo management has a key. Pretty common. Also common, but a little tongue in cheek, did you look under the flower pot? Keys can hibernate there for years even beyond different owners.

[John Mercier]

That actually makes some sense.
Changing out the cylinder is easy once the manufacturer and year is known (only so many cylinder manufacturers)... but why do that if a few questions can get you what you need.

The obvious, and I completely overlooked it.