How to choose a lock for sliding doors?

Sliding or compartment doors - one of the most popular models. This type allows you to save space in the room. How to choose a lock for a sliding design? What is the difference between its device and standard models? What types of locks are there? Read about it in our material.

The doors can be metal, wooden or even glass - it all depends on the personal preferences of the room owner, as well as on the overall design and design of the room.

Regardless of the material from which it is produced, the model needs a locking mechanism (especially if it is input). This element, intended only for sliding doors, is significantly different from similar devices that crash into ordinary doors.

To begin with, it should be noted that there are several classifications of locks.

They can vary according to the following features:

• principle of operation;
• installation method;
• location on the door leaf.

If we talk about the principle of the locks, then there are several options.

• Mechanical. Such devices are closed and opened with a special latch by means of a key. It should be noted that these designs are widely distributed and quite popular due to its affordable price.
• Magnetic. The base in this model is a magnet. The main disadvantage of this option is the fact that it works only in the presence of electricity (the fact that the magnet starts to work only under the action of electric current). Accordingly, in the event that electricity is turned off, you will not be able to either open or close the door.

Let us proceed to discuss the types of locks that differ in the installation method.

• Overhead. Such mechanisms are installed on the surface of the door, as if overlapping (hence the name). These models are divided into mechanical and magnetic.
• Mortise. This type is considered more suitable for installation on sliding doors.The process of attaching them to the door is more complicated and time consuming, however, as a result, you will receive a more secure and reliable lock.

As for the location on the door leaf, the locks can be:

• lateral (standard);
• lower (floor).

When choosing a lock for sliding doors, it is imperative to take into account the material from which the canvas is made. So, wooden fences are considered the most versatile - you can install almost any lock on them. Most carefully you need to be with a glass door - for it is usually chosen patch magnetic locks.

It should be borne in mind the overall design and interior design of the room. Locks should not play the role of accent elements, on the contrary - they should be made as inconspicuous as possible and “entered” into the interior as best as possible.

It is necessary to pay attention to the comfort of opening the doors.

In fact, installing a lock on the coupe door is a fairly simple process that will not cause much difficulty even for beginners. The main thing is to follow the instructions.

Consider in more detail the installation process mortise and overlay device.

For mounting the mortise lock you need a tape measure, a marker (you can also use a pen or pencil), a drill, a screwdriver and a chisel.

So, before you start installing on the door leaf (in the place where you plan to install the lock) it is necessary to apply the marking.

Next, you need to take a drill and a chisel, through which you need to make a niche in one of the two canvases of the door.

Important! The size of the niche and the size of the lock must be identical.

After that, on the next shutter should make a hole for the locking mechanism. Then you need to fix the blocks in the prepared holes.

For the installation of the surface-mounted device, the same tools will be needed as for the installation of the cut-in device.

Similar to the description of the previous installation method, first of all it is necessary to note the place where the lock will be installed. Next - a niche is formed (only one - for the latch).

After this, it is necessary to fix the construction blocks and use the drill to make holes for the bolts. Then proceed to the installation of the main unit.

Thus, we see that with the right approach to the choice and responsible attitude to the installation process, your compartment door can acquire a reliable lock that will protect the room from unwanted intruders.

It should be noted that in order for the lock to serve for a long time without breakdowns, it is necessary to avoid such phenomena as: uneven arrangement of the door leaf and improper installation of the device (follow the instructions carefully).

You can find out how to insert a lock into a sliding door in the video below.