How to attach a door handle through thin aluminium?

[Eloise-]

 

I’m trying to change the door handle on a sliding glass door. I’m having trouble with the strike plate though. When I screwed in with the provided screws it all lined up but it just wasn’t held in place at all. I’m wondering if it’s because the aluminium is so thin?

I’ve included a photo of the aluminium frame where I need to attach it, a photo of the strike plate being held in place and a third of the hole in the face plate where the screw goes through 

What are my options for something that will hold it in place? 

 

[EricL]

Hello @Eloise- 

In order to provide you with recommendations, would it be possible for you to post a photo of the screws that were provided? Can you please push the sliding door closed to full and place the strike plate in front of it and holding it with your fingers. We would like to see how far the locking mechanism travels to see if it would be possible to relocate the striker plate. We would also like to know if the striker plate can be mounted on the timber frame rather than the aluminium panel. Once we see the photos, we'll be able to provide you with advice on how to proceed.

Eric

[Eloise-]

 

I’ve also already adjusted the beak as far towards the jam as it will go using the beak retaining screw so unless there’s another way of adjusting it there’s no way to get it to the wood 

 

[EricL]

Hello @Eloise- 

Thank you very much for sharing those extra photos of your door lock. My analysis of the situation is that the aluminium panel you are trying to attach to is too thin and the timber panel is too far away. I propose attaching a piece of 42 x 19mm 1.2m DAR Pine Standard at the back of the striker as a timber filler. This will allow you to anchor the striker plate to the timber frame.

Let me call on our experienced members @Noyade, @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

 

[Eloise-]

Just to clarify you mean screwing the striker plate onto the wood filler through the holes I’ve circled in red and then attaching the wood filler onto the wooden doorframe I’m holding it against in the picture? 

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @Eloise- 

A couple of questions as it looks like it should work as you described...

I just had a look at my sliding door and yes I have a couple of screws going through thin aluminium as well, maybe into a thicker piece on teh far side a little even. 

The old handle you are replacing, are you reusing those screws or are the screws ones that you got with the new replacement handle?

How did you screw the screws in? Manually or with a drill?

How loose are the screws in the holes?

I am actually thinking of using a slightly larger size screw but will wait until we can see the old screws that were in the holes. My concern is that those holes are verey close to the edge of teh channel. The screw you have shown us looks like its been modified? as in the tip has been cut off?

Dave

[Noyade]

Now, THAT, is a lovely little drawing @EricL  👍

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade 

Thanks!

Eric

[EricL]

Hello @Eloise- 

Just to make sure I've explained it properly. Attach the 42 x 19mm 1.2m DAR Pine Standard first to the door frame. Once the timber piece is in place you then install the striker over the timber piece as shown in my suggested diagram. It's not necessary to use the entire pine piece, it can be cut down and painted over so that it blends in with your door frame.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @Eloise- 

This is a difficult scenario and one I deal with regularly when replacing sliding door handles. 

It simply comes down to installing the latch as required with the screws exposed through to the other side. Then you need an angle grinder to trim the exposed ends of the screws off. There will still be enough bite, albeit 3mm of thread remaining in the aluminium frame to hold the latch in place.

Nailbag