Unlock overhead door from Outside

[kellogg]

I have a 12' overhead door that I want to lock from inside/outside, but be able to unlock from the outside. Right now I have the sliding bar lock from the inside that works great. I have a side door to the garage with a lock, but recently the locking mechanism quit working and I couldn't get inside until we literally drilled out the lock and messed up the door a little. Any suggestion would be appreciated.

 

[AndyL]

if it's your only way in/out... No solution is perfect. The bar latches are one of the better ones - but like any mechanical device, requires maintenance...

Cable locks tend to be less reliable than the bar style, openers - power failures and spring failures - will leave you stuck...

My advice would be to replace the lock handle with a better quality one, make sure you hit it with one of the lock cylinder lubricants when she starts to get a little hard to twist...

 

[larry4406]

I built a garage for a customer that had two sectional garage doors, but no man door or any windows. Both garage doors had overhead t-track type openers. The opener provides the lock function. We installed a key lock with cable that connects to the trolley disconnect so that in the event of power failure or mechanical failure, could still get in.

Here is link to example http://www.remotereplacers.com/Emergency-Cable-Release-8-Length_p_335.html

 

[Kevin54]

Why not get in contact with the door company that makes your door and just get the mechanism that let's you open and close the door from the outside or inside. What I'm talking about is the keyed handle that turns and lets the inside bars retract.

 

[mikegt4]

Why not get in contact with the door company that makes your door and just get the mechanism that let's you open and close the door from the outside or inside. What I'm talking about is the keyed handle that turns and lets the inside bars retract.

X2

Before door openers became popular almost all garage doors had a locking outside/inside handle.