Need recommendations for high-security patio door

[blasto9000]

Hi guys,

My back patio door is in need of replacement. There is no eve above it, and water damage has taken its toll. I've been trying to preserve the door as long as possible, but over the weekend a stray cat leaned on the door and his little paw punched a hole in the wood.

I've been beefing up the intrusion countermeasures around the house. The patio door has been the remaining weak point, so now that I can legitimately replace it, I want something sturdy.

What I'd like to replace it with is a sliding door, something with good security. I'm not opposed to having window security film applied, or applying it myself. Any suggestions as to what I should be looking for? The planned budget is around $3,000 for materials and installation.

 

[ducktapeguy]

You might want to look at "hurricane" rated doors and windows. I believe these already have the laminate built into them. It might not be as strong as the Shattergard type films, but it's supposed to withstand having 2x4's shot at it with a cannon. It should effective enough to keep most people out.

Other than that they have expanding steel gates that go across, which look kinda ugly, but they're pretty secure.

No matter which type of door get the usual bars and locks to secure it because most patio door locks are a joke, and make sure you can't just lift the door off the track. My last house was like that, didn't matter what type of lock I had the door was installed backwards, so anybody was able to take it off the track from the outside.

 

[Nowater]

I have just installed hurricane (called severe weather glass) patio doors configured as French doors. In my area one needs a permit to put one in. The glass is tempered and etched on the inside so that one can see it is indeed rated for severe weather. I also specified insulated glass, as much to cut down on noise as for insulation.

To get that rating, fastener specifications must be followed. The fastener instructions became part of the building plans, and the inspector was familiar with it. I added a few extra fasteners for good measure, which also made my inspection go a little easier.

On this type of double door, the weak point is where one door closes against another. One door has a door knob and the other one does not. How the one without the door knob fastens with bolts top and bottom is key to your security, as the deadbolt on the opening door throws into that door. Inspect before you buy.

I would also suggest you get a door with magnetic weatherstrips.

 

[rct]

I know you mentioned a sliding door, but if you want security, take a hard look at french doors, beefier doorframes, less glass and the use of traditional deadbolts.

That said, our first house had a sliding patio door that was french door style. The frame was about 8" thick all the way around each glass panel, making the door itself much more solid feeling and less flexible than the all-glass style. It also had a foot bolt that prevented it from being slid open unless intentially uunlocked from the inside.

 

[inphx]

On my french doors i put some bolts throgh and on the inside i have a metal plate with some wingnuts... ties the doors on the center together well.

 

[LutzTD]

the thing about sliders that most people forget is that on a lot of designs you can lift them and force them out of the track. people put the bar to stop it slidig side to side but forget they have a lot of clearance top and bottom for the slide. I used to get in my old house this way if I forgot my key, and it was a pretty high quality door.

 

[Northstar]

My Andersons have a physical latch that hooks into a striker on the jamb. It also can't be lifted off the track when secured.

 

[blasto9000]

I ended up going with a slider with these deadbolts that cam the door closed. Of course I couldn't do any destructive testing (it was the floor model) but it LOOKS good. The installer doesn't do security glass laminating, but told me where I can get the materials for a DIY. This will be my opportunity to get a wired sensor in the jamb for the security system too.

Thank you all for the suggestions!!

P.S.: I asked the installer about a storm door -- he had NO clue what I was talking about. Must be due to the frequency and severity of hurricanes we get here in Los Angeles.