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Anderson patio door locking problems

2 years ago

We just had a new Anderson 400 series hinged patio door installed. It looks OK but when you go to lock it, you have to really pull up hard on the handle to get the top and bottom latches to engage, and until you do that, the dead bolt can’t be engaged at all. It seems to me that this means that the door jamb and door are not aligned properly. what’s the fix for this? The ”contractor” who installed it is almost done with some other work here and I’ll be glad to see the back of him, so I’m hesitating to involve him in any more work than is necessary. photos of the door lock and top latch attached. thanks.

Featured Answer

millworkman

2 years ago

"I would imagine that fixing this would require removing the trim and repositioning the door correctly."

Essentially you would need to basically uninstall and reinstall properly. I would have Andersen service look at the lock once the door is properly set in the opening, and not the contractor even if you were on good terms with him. The contractor needs to fix the installation in my mind regardless whether you want him their or not. You paid him for a proper install.

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Comments (8)

LH CO/FL
2 years ago
Ours needs to have the handle pulled up to engage the lock. When we bought the house, they said something it preventing their kids from locking themselves out on the patios.
Joanne thanked LH CO/FL
lwfromny
2 years ago
I would call Anderson. I have a door that is almost twenty years old and they just came and fixed the lock for free.
Joanne thanked lwfromny
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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.
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In our area, we only have h.d. who is the only game in town and contracts all installs from contractors as far away as 350 miles. Way more horror stories than positive here and it's trying to get the contractors back to fix a problem that's the hard part. I would go to a reputable cabinet shop and get referalls to decent trim carpenter/door hangers in your area. You can check with lumber/building suppliers as well. This means purchasing the doors yourself and applying for the permit, then finding an installer. Ask family friends as well for referalls and always get more than one estimate w/ references especially those who are willing to show you past and present projects.
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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.
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Thats a good price for the Okna patio door, its as solid as a rock. You will enjoy that door for decades. The OP pricing was ridiculously low even for 6 years ago. Prices have gone up a lot since 5-6 years ago, particularly this year with all the shortages on materials and other supply chain issues. You are getting good pricing. stay away from home depot or lowes, not sure you would like the quality. I am not a fan of andersen or pella.
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Joanne
Original Author
2 years ago
Thanks. the door locks, but the amount of force needed to engage the hooks at the top and bottom seems excessive. I’ve also discovered that the door will not stay in the fully open position, but swings halfway shut by itself. I put a level vertically on the stationary panel, and it’s not plumb. the top of the door leans inward a bit more than the bottom. I would imagine that fixing this would require removing the trim and repositioning the door correctly.
ILoveRed
2 years ago
DefDefinitely call andersen. we had a door like this in our last house with problems. two or three service calls and they couldnt seem to get it fixed. last guy easily fixed it without issue.

cant remember exactly what he did to resolve the problem.
Joanne thanked ILoveRed
strategery
2 years ago
Agree with the others. Call Anderson support. Send them a video.
LH CO/FL
2 years ago
We just replaced the hinges on an ocean-facing Anderson door -- 16 years of rust and they finally gave out. Part of the replacement involves adjusting the tilt and height of the door with screws in the hinge assembly. It was a bit tricky, but doable.
Joanne
Original Author
2 years ago
Update: the dealer rep came out and found that the actual door was bowed, they ordered a new one and will replace it. The service guy said he does about 1 of these bowed doors per week because the unavailability of the usual wood Andersen used for their doors meant they substituted an inferior product to keep production going.

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