skip to main content

Difficulty locking new Anderson French Doors

16 years ago

I have just had a new Anderson Frenchwood hinged outswing door installed. If the door is easy to lock, it has an air gap. If all the gaps are sealed nicely, it about breaks my arm to lock it. The installer has been making adjustments for quite a while now with no success. If you have any suggestions, I'd appreciate it.

krisz

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

oberon476
16 years ago
krisz,

That is very likely (almost certainly) an installation issue. I suspect that one of the installers who haunt the site will pop in and offer a suggestion or two - you around Guy??? (that's who I ask when I have an installation question)...
Michael
16 years ago
Put a level on the strike side jamb. The door is most likely racked (out of square) in the opening.

A door that is not installed squarely will require eternal adjustments and still not operate properly.

Michael
Related Discussions
Can metal frame on Anderson French sliding door be painted?
Q
Comments (6)
Helenill - We are also using Anderson windows and I seem to recall they provide some information on their webpage about the best way to paint. I just wanted to chime in about your feelings of frustration and what seems to be a general lack of control over the building project. I am in the same boat! For example, I didn't even know that when I picked a window color (I had a three hour notice on that) I would also be picking a patio door color. Didn't realize the patio door was part of the whole window package from Anderson until I went by the house and there it was. Every week I get caught by one or two little surprises like that. It wouldn't be so bad if we weren't spending thousands of dollars! In my case, the problem seems to be that the builder does not realize how clueless we are to the whole process. They seem to think we've got as much knowledge as they do about the building process. Obviously, we don't. I'm just trying to go with the flow and keep the peace. Good luck.
...See More
Anderson French Door or Not?
Q
Comments (8)
are double doors preferred.... The question should be what do you prefer? What works best for your family? That would apply both to the one fixed vs. both moving question as well as the swing direction. Since you don't need screens, figure out which one interferes least with your movement in and out and the furniture on either side of the door. There's no right way, just the way that will work best for you.
...See More
New French Door- pella architect out of my budget!
Q
Comments (1)
Park-Vue makes a beautiful French Door that is aluminum clad on the exterior. They are made in Wisconsin and patio doors is all they do. A great value and very affordable. Michael Here is a link that might be useful: Swinging Doors
...See More
Locked IN! How to fix Anderson Hinged Patio Door Lock?
Q
Comments (13)
Last weekend the handle seized as it was pulled upward to lock the active door. After first removing, oiling and replacing the inside door handle, I repeated the process on the outside door handle with no luck. Today, I tried Kashmi's July 6, 2011 post regarding pushing out on the door while pushing down on the handle. This senior citizen had to alternate the pushing of door and handle, but with gradual movement of both. Finally gave it all I had left and the door opened! I've oiled the parts not accessible when the doors are closed and they operate better than when new. Thank you for the knowledge that it was not just this door lock that had jammed and the help to resolve the problem.
...See More
krisz
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the responses. My guy has fiddled alot. He is supposed to come again tomorrow. He says the door is level. I don't know what the strike side jamb is. Michael, do you mean level at the top of that french door? The installer is saying that the problem is the metal lock striking the metal jamb and talking about puting a shim under the jamb. I am thinking a brand new door shouldn't need that.

Thanks,
krisz
Michael
16 years ago
The strike side jamb is the lock side jamb.

If he has to shim it, it may mean the jamb is not plumb.

Michael
Shannon01
16 years ago
Hello brushworks, nice to see you over here.
Anyhoo, I have something funny about Anderson doors and something nice.
Funny- my sister checked on my house while I was away. She had to go into the yard so she was able to unlock the french doors- I have those long door handle thingys. But she was unable to lock them. She tried everything. She finally went to the garage and found some huge zipties. She ziptied my doors shut. I came home to find all this stuff laying on the kitchen table. Then when I went to go outside I found the doors zipped shut and realized what she did. She did not even think to pull the handle up before turning the lock- so like her!
Nice- my house was built in 1998 and doors were installed by builder. I clean the exterior glass and frame every month or so as needed. The other day I noticed the outside vinyl laminate is buckling off. After further examination, every door- I have three sets- has some pc which is delaminating. So I see there is a transferable 10yr warranty. Anderson is sending me a form to mark where the problems are and I need to submit pics. Because they do not replace laminate they will probably just send me new doors!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOW I am impressed. What service!!!!! I will have to switch out the hardware but that should not be a problem. Hopefully I will not have any issues like you, since I will just be rehanging the doors. I will be cautious just in case.

Good luck with your balancing act.
fhiwindows
16 years ago
They are a hard door to install if the installer does not have a bunch of experience. Once in a while we will get one with a panel (door) that has a bow, you can check this with a 6' level (used as a straight edge).

Has he used the allen wrench on the hinges yet?
guy_exterior_man
16 years ago
One door could be level with the other one out of plumb. The best way to determine how well they seal is by slightly closing the door. From the outside pull the door closed until it barely touches the weatherseal that's attached to the astragal (door attachment on the inactive door that stops the doors to hold them together). When the door hits the seal it should be touching evenly all the way up. If the door touches at the top or bottom first with a gap at the opposite end your out of alignment (or plumb). These doors need to be right on with each other or the multi-point locking will be a nightmare to operate. If you can't get them working after this call the Andersen service line to have them send out your local rep. He'll be able to help resolve the problem in most cases. Good Luck!!!

Related Stories

MOST POPULAR Find the Right Glass Door for Your Patio

By Bud Dietrich, AIA

It’s more than just a patio door — it’s an architectural design element. Here’s help for finding the right one for your home and lifestyle

DOORS Discover the Ins and Outs of Pocket Doors

By Natalie Myers

Get both sides of the pocket door story to figure out if it's the right space separator for your house

DESIGN DETAILS The Secret to Pocket Doors' Success

By Eric Reinholdt, Architect

Pocket doors can be genius solutions for all kinds of rooms — but it’s the hardware that makes all the difference. See why

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Upgrade Your House With New Interior Doors

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

New project for a new year: Enhance your home's architecture with new interior doors you'll love to live with every day

MOST POPULAR 5 Ways to Pare Down Your Stuff — Before It Gets in the Door

By Laura Gaskill

Want to free up some room around the house? Rethink gift giving, give yourself a shopping mantra and just say, ‘No, thank you’ to freebies

REMODELING GUIDES Renovation Detail: The Casement Window

By Rachel Grace

If heaving open your windows leaves you winded, let the cranks or cam handles of casement windows bring in an easier breeze

WORKING WITH PROS Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project

By Incite Design

Find out how to save time, money and your sanity when building new or remodeling

GREAT HOME PROJECTS Upgrade Your Windows for Beauty, Comfort and Big Energy Savings

By Mitchell Parker

Bid drafts or stuffiness farewell and say hello to lower utility bills with new, energy-efficient windows

GREEN BUILDING Houzz Call: What Have You Salvaged for Home Use?

By Becky Harris

If your floors, furniture, exterior materials or other home elements have a past life, we'd like to hear the story

UNIVERSAL DESIGN 12 Must-Haves for Aging in Place

By Affecting Spaces Design Studio

Design a home that will continue to be accessible, safe and stylish as the years go by

Sponsored

High Point Cabinets

21 Reviews

Columbus' Experienced Custom Cabinet Builder | 4x Best of Houzz Winner

More Discussions

Help on picking a patio door

4

mudroom door through Marvin windows

2

windows replacement

3

exterior design dilemma

3

Help! Windows don’t align

4