After you’ve finished picking out the doorframe material and the type of glass you want for your folding doors, the next step is to pick out the door hardware that you want. Depending on the manufacturer you’re working with, you may have varying options for customization. Typically, most custom folding door companies allow you to pick your own handles, hinges, tracks, and of course the locks.

There are a number of different types of folding door locks, but a multi-point locking system is the most common due to its increased security and unique benefits. In today’s post, we’ll take a brief look at the most common types of folding door locks on the market, explain how folding door locks work, and why you should invest in a multi-point locking system.

It’s time to secure your doors!

Types Of Folding Door Locks

The main goal of any lock is to prevent outsiders from getting into your home. Although folding door systems are created to be opened accordion-style and folded to the side, they all feature a standard swinging door that allows for easy entry and exiting.

Having to open the entire folding door system every time you wanted to walk out on your back porch would be a bit of a pain, so the swinging door allows for a more practical porch doorway. However, the swinging door does present a bit of a “weak point” as far as home security is concerned.

Without the right lock installed, your swinging door can easily be breached by criminals who have some home invasion tools. This makes it very important to select a solid, reliable, and secure locking system for your folding doors. So, let’s take a brief look at your options.

Deadbolt-Style Locks

Deadbolt-style locks are one of the oldest and most commonly used types of locks on the market. They’re simple, relatively secure, and they almost never malfunction. Deadbolts work by sliding a steel bolt from the side of the swing door into the side of the door panel next to it. The bolt can be unlocked with a twist of the lock from your home’s interior or it can be unbolted by using a key from the exterior.

Twin-Point Locks

Twin-point locks are a good choice if you’re looking for a low-profile door lock that provides a moderate level of security. As the name implies, these locking systems have two locking points; one located at the top of the door and the other located at the bottom of the door.

This provides more resistance in the event that somebody tries to push through the door and makes it harder for the door locks to be tampered with (since the bolts go through the track system. The locks are engaged or disengaged by turning the key while the doors are shut.

Drop-Bolt Locks

Drop-bolt locks are a common aftermarket addition to exterior door systems but they may also come factory-installed by some manufacturers. These locks are very simple and feature an interior lock that’s connected to the main door panel. The lock is engaged by manually dropping the bolt into the doorframe, thus securing the door panel and preventing it from moving.

By themselves, drop-bolt locks only provide minimal security and aren’t quite as easy to use as other locking systems. Therefore, they’re typically used as an extra measure of security for those wishing to enhance the security of their existing locks.

Multi-Point Locking System

As we mentioned at the beginning of the article, multi-point locking systems are the most commonly used type of locks in today’s folding door systems. In addition to folding doors, they’re used in high-end sliding doors and commercial doors as well.

The design itself is based on a deadbolt-style of lock. However, instead of a single locking bolt, multi-point locks utilize at least three bolts. Some manufacturers, such as Origin, offer up to eight locking bolts. Ultimately, the more locking points, the harder it is to break through the doorway and the more secure the door is.

These locking systems are very simple and are activated with the key. When the doors are shut and the key is turned, all of the points engage together and latch onto the neighboring door panel, creating a tight seal and securing the doors.

Key Advantages Of A Multi-Point Locking System

So, why are multi-point locks the most commonly used type of folding door lock on the market today? There are a few key advantages that these locks have over more traditional deadbolt-style, drop-bolt, and twin-point locking systems. Check it out!

1) Harder To Break Into

Well, the most obvious reason is that they’re harder to break into. The more locking points that a door is secured by, the more force is required to “muscle through” the entrance. To get through a multi-point locking system, the would-be burglar would have to exert enough force to break the entire door panel itself, causing lots of noise, and activating any alarm system you have.

2) Increased Energy Efficiency

One of the least-known perks of multi-point locks is that they make your folding door more energy-efficient! This is due to the lock’s unique “hooking” points. When the locks are engaged, they hook onto the latches on the opposite door panel, pulling the doors closer together. This creates a more weathertight seal, preventing water or a cold draft from getting through your doorway.

3) Low-Profile Appearance

Last but not least, multi-point locks are incredibly low-profile, which contributes to a sleeker, more modern appearance. The entire locking system is installed into the side of the door panel, making it invisible to the outside. The only thing you or your visitors will see is the main padlock, which is part of the handle mechanism.

How Do You Use Multi-Point Locks?

Multi-point locks are quite easy to engage and disengage. Here’s how the process works:

• To engage the locks, start by closing the main swinging door panel.
• Pull up on the door handle to engage the locking points.
• Turn the key or interior locking knob to lock the points in place.
• To unlock the doors, twist the key or knob in the opposite direction.
• Push down on the door handle to disengage the locking points.

While the door is unlocked, simply push down on the handle to open and close the swinging door like normal.

How Secure Are Folding Doors, Overall?

At first glance, many people tend to assume that folding doors aren’t very secure. All they see is a large multi-panel door system that’s made of mostly glass. It seems easy to break into, doesn’t it?

However, this assumption couldn’t be farther from the truth. Thanks to modern security technology, all-glass folding doors can be manufactured to be incredibly secure. By combining a multi-point locking system with shatter-proof glass and a home security system, your exterior folding doors will be just as secure as a standard vinyl, wood, or fiberglass doorway.

Conclusion

When purchasing your exterior or porch folding doors, it’s essential to select the right type of lock for your doorway to prevent break-ins and protect your family. The best lock, by far, is a multi-point locking system. Not only does it provide more locking points to secure the door but it also increases your door’s energy efficiency and is incredibly easy and hassle-free to use.