Hi, everyone
i have a Dutch door (exterior front) with a latch problem. I love this door, so consequently, I open/close it a lot. I believe it’s a metal door, presumably insulated, and made/installed as such (not converted). I built my little house 2 1/2 years ago, so over this time, it’s been opened/closed *a lot* and the screws are wearing their holes to the point that the latch is about to come off. One screw is completely useless. I removed it today – 1-1/2” wood screw (?), took it to HD thinking maybe a machine screw with tighter threads would be better. The guy there said no, I probably will have to replace both mounting screws with a “dog bolt”. ??? Don’t quite get how that would work in this instance.
So, I’m asking what I should do. My builder says to start by installing bigger screws, but eventually I’ll have to run a bolt all the way through to the outside. I’m wondering if I should just bag the slide bolt altogether, or if there’s is some way to stabilize it. So, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Kris
Replies
Kris,
You mention that the door is metal with probably a foam core. These doors usually have a perimeter of wood rails and stiles. Is this the case with yours?
Dimensions of the wood varies. Your current fasteners may have missed the wood and only threaded to the metal skin. If this is the case, there are fasteners made for this application.
https://www.mcmaster.com/sex-bolts
According to the size and thread options you should be able to get a machine screw that will fit well on the interior (to your latch recess). The other end is also available in a security type sleeve either smooth or like those used in public bathroom partitions. The smooth style should have a non slip feature on the lip that resists slipping on your smooth metal door.
Find aluminum or stainless steel so no rust. Length of screw and sleeve are important so make sure what you get will work for your door and latch thickness. You should be able to mount your latch in the same place it is now, just requires drilling through the doors other side.
Make up a jig so your holes going through are EXACTLY straight through the other side. Off center or staggered holes don’t work so good. In a perfect world, your sleeve length should bee just shy of the door thickness.
I would start off very simple with the oldest latch repair trick there is. Take a couple of wooden matchsticks or toothpicks, put some white glue on them and stick them in the screw holes. Snap them off and reinstall your latch. That repair could very well last forever.