Surface Mounted Handle Set for Sliding Glass Doors

Question

Got two 3 segment 12' PGT sliding glass patio doors that needs new handles - so my wife tells me. Your 82-036 would seem to be right except there is not enough data to let me know if it will fit without major modifications or problems.

The current handle is using 6 9/16" holes in the door frame but uses a single latch acting thru a 7/8 by 5/8" opening in the door frame centered 5" down from the upper bolt. I assume that this hole can be enlarged relatively easily - so probably no real issue if the latches in the new handle overlap it - do they?

The existing keeper is designed for a single latch is only 2 5/8" long and is anchored in the 1" wide 1/2" deep channel with two screws 1 5/8" apart. Obviously, it wouold have to be replaced, however, there is not enough data on the holes for the new keeper.

A question is thus how the new screws would be anchored in the cement blocks framing the doors? Can the anchors be placed with the frame installed? If you have any alternate door handles that might fit better, please advise. Thanks!

Tom · Accepted Answer

The 82-036 will not fit on your door, unfortunately. Once you remove the lock set you have now, you will expose a huge rectangular hole that basically precludes any other style handle from working. The only way you could get the 82-036 to work is if you cover that hole with some kind of plate, but that's obviously not ideal. I've never known anyone who has bothered with that advice, either, so I can't tell you how well it would work, if at all.

Unless you get a new door, you're pretty much stuck using the same type of hardware you have now. There aren't really many ways around that. It's just how this door is designed. I hate dealing with these for that reason.