Patio door question

[scott_l]

Ok John Deers I have an off the wall question for you

Our son (18 months old) can now reach and unlock our sliding patio door. I want to install one of those locks that go on the inside patio door and throws a “dead bolt pin” into the upper casing (you can lock the door shut or you can open it about 3” and lock it). But my concern in that our patio door in vinyl, the “dead bolt lock” must be screwed into the door. Is there any thing behind the vinyl exterior of the door for the screws to grab?

Any ideas/suggestion/has any one installed one of these locks on a vinyl door?

 

[ezra]

yes they have a wood core 95% of the time

 

[anonomoose]

This is easy...drill a tiny 1/16 hole in the door up high where you would not nomrally look and see what you hit, drilling slowly and carefully. If wood comes out, as EZ says, there is wood to set the screws in, if not the solid vinyl door will stil hold a screw just be careful to size the drill bit to fit the screws so you don't crack the vinyl.

If after the test drilling you change your mind, silicone the tiny hole and put a plant or chair in front of the door until the kid gets bigger.

 

[snoseekr2]

I suggest cutting a piece of broom handle and putting it behind the slider so he can't open it . Quick and easy.

 

[Dave_B]

I used Scotch 3m double stick mounting squares on mine. It's held strong for five years now.

 

[lenny]

I believe they do make vinyl sliders that are all vinyl just like the vinyl windows. You ought to be able to determine if door is wood core vinyl clad or all vinyl by thickness of door by close inspection,,,jmo