How do I lock the storm secure doors with multipoint locks?
“The balcony door won’t lock, its broken, please fix it.”
Happy to help! 9 out of 10 times the door and its locking mechanism are NOT broken but they can be confusing if you have never used one (or never used a “French” type door–which work the same way.
Read on, or watch the video for an example.
Many of our non-slider balcony doors are Anderson doors with multipoint locking assemblies and have features that make them more secure if there is a storm.
Specifically, they that posts that extend into the top and/or bottom of the door frame, making it less likely the door will blow in under high winds and similar situations.
However, these doors will NOT lock until you engage those posts.
So, how do you do that? Easy (usually):
1. Pull handle UP
You extend the posts by puling up reasonably hard on the handle. The handle should go up about 3/4 or more. If it is not, then you may have to wiggle the door forward or backward a bit. You can see how it works by doing it with the door open. The little posts have to extend into the hole(s) in the door frame. This secures the door in place.
2. Turn the knob
Most of these doors also have a deadbolt/twist knob. AFTER the posts are engaged, you can turn the knob. For most of the doors, the lock will NOT turn until you engage the posts (by pulling up and getting them into the hole(s)). This is what trips most people up: they go to the door, want to lock it, and can’t turn the knob. OH NO! Its broken. Nope… just missed step one!
Like French Doors–so if you happen to have a french door at home, these work almost exactly like 1 or 2 door french doors where you have to pull up first to secure, then lock them.
Here’s a video on one of our doors to show how it works. Pics coming soon!
