Sliding patio doors aren’t as good looking as a French doors, but they do have some advantages. If you have a view, sliding doors don’t get in the way, and, unlike French doors, when they open, sliding doors also don’t get in the way. Sliding patio doors, however, don’t provide a lot of security. Specifically, the locking mechanisms on most leave a lot to be desired. The typical fix is to drop a length of wood in the channel or the installation of a foot button. These secure the door, but secure it so well that even the owner can’t enter the door from outside if the wood or foot button is in place.
Experiencing this problem at his own residence, Bruce White, decided to take matters in his own hands and develop a solution. His new company, Padio Systems, will soon be releasing a product called PaDIOLOK.
The Padiolok provides keyless two-way locking and unlocking with an exterior keypad. It is said to provide a far more solid locking mechanism than factory latches. In addition to being more convenient, it’s a lot safer in an emergency than a door blocked with wood.
In addition to residential use, this product will be marketed towards the hotel and resort industries. Models that will work with aluminum, vinyl, wood, and fiberglass framed doors will be offered, and no special tools are said to be needed for installation.
One of the next steps for the company and this project is a crowdfunding campaign, so check out their website if you want to be one of the first in line. Expected availability is late 2015 to early 2016. The anticipated price is about $150. The photo shown is a preproduction rendering.
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