Sliding doors can be a very practical option for your property, as well as offering that all-important wow factor. They can range from two glass panel doors to six door configurations, offering a wall-to-wall spectacle. But whatever style of sliding door you choose, security is always a top priority. This is why it is vital to choose the right manufacturer with an appropriate locking system to enable you to balance safety and functionality.
This guide will discuss the door lock used when you invest in a quality aluminium sliding door system from Origin. We will take you through the high-security locks for our Patio Sliders, with the aim of helping you decide which external sliding patio doors are the best option for your family and home.
Click on one of the links below to jump to that section:
Discover why modern sliding doors are a secure choice for your external patio door.
Learn about hook keeps, shoot bolts, pawls and how they secure sliding glass doors
Explore the most secure cylinder locks, such as 3-Star Diamond barrels.
Explore the different locking systems available for the OS29+ and OS44/77 Sliders
How secure are sliding patio doors?
Because sliding patio doors slide along a track, instead of opening inwards or outwards, they require different security mechanisms and to ensure weathertight seals. Many modern sliding doors will include anti-lift blocks, which prevent anyone from lifting the sliding door sashes out of the track to gain access to the property.
Aluminium sliding doors, especially those manufactured to a superior quality such as Origin’s, are highly durable, secure and provide multiple points of locking. The ultra-secure OS29+ Sliding Door is PAS 24 accredited, giving you complete peace of mind.
Read about sliding door security in our related guide
Understanding the Types of Sliding Door Locks
A sliding glass door lock requires a different locking system than an alternative type of entryway, such as hinged doors. This is because they are secured in line with the door jamb rather than perpendicular to it. Some common locking mechanisms for sliding door systems include hook locks and shoot bolts.
Origin’s Sliding Doors lock securely into the jamb or the adjacent door at multiple points along the frame for an ultra-secure and weather-tight seal. The doors utilise various mechanisms to keep the panels securely locked, including hooks and hook keeps, shoot bolts and cylinder locks. The below makes up the Origin Multi-Point Lock:
- Hooks and hook keeps: a hook-like system that secures the sash into the jamb or adjacent door, operated by a thumbturn. Origin Sliding Doors feature 4 robust hooks engaging with keeps along the frame
- Shoot bolts: these bolts help secure the closed door by projecting vertical bolts into the bottom frame. Sliding doors feature 2 shoot bolts
- Cylinders: ultra-secure barrels that are highly robust against picking, drilling, bumping and snapping
What are the Recommended Sliding Door Cylinders?
Your choice of sliding patio door locks should be based on your home security priority and door frame design preferences. Here, we look at the sliding door lock cylinders available to you.
Standard barrel or Diamond Cylinder sliding door locks
When choosing the perfect sliding patio door, you can’t be too cautious with security. The OS44 and OS77 Sliding Doors come with an incredibly secure standard barrel lock, whilst the OS29+ features a 3-Star Diamond Cylinder. If you want to prioritise security, we recommend choosing the heavy-duty 3-Star Diamond Cylinder as this provides the highest tier of attack resistance. This cylinder is resistant to bumping, picking, snapping and drilling.
Combined or separate handle and lock
You can customise your sliding door to suit your functional requirements. Some prefer an integrated system; meanwhile, separate handle and lock systems can give you greater flexibility depending on the handle you choose.
Our sliding doors offer the option of not having an external sliding door lock, which reduces the possibility of tampering from the outside. However, if you did want a lock on the outside, you can specify a high-security 3-Star Diamond Cylinder barrel to minimise its chance of being tampered with.
Origin Sliding Door Lock Options
OS29+
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The OS29+ offers a multi-point lock with no less than six points of locking with a Diamond 3-Star Cylinder. It also has the option of having no external handle or lock, providing a seamless finish and removing the opportunity for the lock to be picked.
You can choose from our Signature Knurled or 260mm All-in-One Handle. Alternatively, select the sleek D-Handle.
The OS29+ has been tested in line with PAS 24 standards, and you can enhance the security further by selecting security or toughened glass. Speak to your installer about the glazing options available.
OS44 and OS77 Patio Slider
The OS44 and OS77 Patio Sliders also offer a multi-point locking system, and are available in the same handle options minus the Signature Knurled and the 260mm All-in-One Handle.
All of the lock and handle combinations have undergone meticulous security testing to ensure that they are not susceptible to housebreaking techniques. The OS77 is also compliant with the stringent PAS (Product Assessment Specification) 24:2016 security standards.
These standards reveal that the security on offer is of a superior level when it comes to resisting the attacking methods often associated with opportunistic or casual housebreakers. But for additional peace of mind, you can upgrade to a 3-Star Diamond Cylinder lock for extra security.
Frequently asked questions
How do you secure a three-panel sliding glass door?
Three-panel sliding doors will lock securely into the jamb. With an inline sliding door, you only need to secure the door when it is closed, as it features weighted bearings to keep the door in an open position. To lock, simply turn the thumbturn and use your key to engage the locks. This will ensure all points of locking are engaged.
What are the most reliable brands for sliding door locks in the UK?
The most secure door lock classification is the TS 007 3-Star. At Origin, our Sliding Doors are compatible with standard 1-Star barrel or ultra-high security 3-Star Diamond Cylinders. Our doors feature Ultion locks for maximum security.
How to stop a child from opening a sliding door?
Keeping sliding doors locked when closed is the easiest way to prevent children from operating the doors. For child safety, Origin Sliding Doors feature a concealed track for extra comfort with young children around.
How easy is it to break into a sliding glass door?
It can be very challenging to break into a sliding patio door if it has been properly designed and installed and manufactured to a high standard. In fact, Origin Sliding Doors have at least six points of locking, feature premium quality aluminium frames and 3-Star Diamond Cylinder locks. You can also specify toughened low-e glazing for added safety.
