Need Help Locking Up Barn

[iplumb]

Looking for ideas on what or how to lock a sliding barn door like this. This is how it was when we moved in. I have looked at the box stores but don't really know what I'm lookin for. Thanks for the help

 

[Willl]

Is that your only entrance into the building ?, meaning can it be locked from the inside instead ?

 

[iplumb]

Is that your only entrance into the building ?, meaning can it be locked from the inside instead ?

This is the only way in now, There was a rotted out passage door on the back but I removed it.

 

[TripleR]

You can reinforce it, but sadly all it is going to do is cause more damage when/if a determined thief breaks in. Our house was broken into through a steel door with the frame ripped out.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

about the only thing you can do is to install a hasp with steel reinforcement on the back side. If both doors can be moved at the same time, you will need to install a center stop at the top to stop that. Then, there is the issue of whether there is anything that stops the doors from being pushed in or out at the bottom. Doors like this can be pried up out of a bottom track if there is one.

 

[iplumb]

about the only thing you can do is to install a hasp with steel reinforcement on the back side. If both doors can be moved at the same time, you will need to install a center stop at the top to stop that. Then, there is the issue of whether there is anything that stops the doors from being pushed in or out at the bottom. Doors like this can be pried up out of a bottom track if there is one.

Thanks- But its just a sigle door. Just wondering if there is something comercially avail for this? I would think so.

 

[greasemonkeyok]

Single door is easier. On the side that the door opens toward (the non-hasp side), install a pipe or L bracket to keep the bottom from being pushed in or pulled out.

Then, on the hasp end of the door, you can install a 3/8" rod (or lag bolt if you have a wooden jam) into the door jam near the floor that sticks out into the doorway 2.5" or so, and a bracket on the door with a 3/8+" hole in it that matches up to the rod. The idea is that when the door is closed, the bracket will slip over the rod to keep the bottom from being moved in or out.

This is the same concept on hinged doors where the hinges are installed on the outside and the hing pins can be driven out of the hinge from the outside. (When the hinges are on the outside, someone can drive out the hing pins and open the door from the hinged side instead of the lock side, unless, of course, rods have been installed.)

 

[Craig Clayton]

The problem these days is the Home Centers have lots of really neat tools ( jimmy bars ,bolt cutters, and the ultimate a 18 volt mini grinder with a Zip Wheel ).
I could put a heavy coat over that lock and remove it with a 18 volt grinder in about 30 seconds. Lucky I'am on your side.
With my Kubota I remove the ignition key M-F and there are enough tools in the shop to remove the entire side of the my house.
Dogs can be druged, alarms can go off with a helium balloon ( was told that one, or cat )
We have a friend of the family that has a real alarm system due to the nature of what he does. The family CAT got into the study and the real police answered the call.

After hours B and E call 555-1234

Craig Clayton

 

[zzvyb6]

What's the purpose and timing of locking this door? Occasional or seasonal use, or daily/weekly use? At the summer cottage (when locking up for Winter until Summer), I use a battery powered impact wrench to drive 6 long lag bolts into the sills and the door is more or less permanentl fixed in place. I use two different head sizes to discourage reckless attempts to get in. Only other way is a can opener...

I suppose you could use studs along with the nuts they use on car wheels to secure them, too. It takes a special socket pattern to get any torque on it. If they know what's in there, and want it, you are screwed. Suggest keeping the contents out of sight and unknown even to visitors.

 

[kansas john deere]

all any lock does is keep the honest people honest.........

 

[Depmandog]

I secured all of my doors - best locks money could buy. D$&m thieves hacked through the steel siding (26 gauge commercial grade sheet metal). The first time - the alarm went off. They hi tailed it. A year later, happened again. Someone forgot to set the alarm (cough..young son...grrr). Stole a nice four wheeler (cough...young son left key in ignition...grrr), and a bunch of tools. What really ticked me off - they used my two wheeled wheel barrow to haul the loot to the road - then took it! (man, I loved that wheel barrow).

Like has been said. A lock only keeps the honest guys honest. If they want in, they are gonna get in.

Dean

 

[TripleR]

I secured all of my doors - best locks money could buy. D$&m thieves hacked through the steel siding (26 gauge commercial grade sheet metal). The first time - the alarm went off. They hi tailed it. A year later, happened again. Someone forgot to set the alarm (cough..young son...grrr). Stole a nice four wheeler (cough...young son left key in ignition...grrr), and a bunch of tools. What really ticked me off - they used my two wheeled wheel barrow to haul the loot to the road - then took it! (man, I loved that wheel barrow).

Like has been said. A lock only keeps the honest guys honest. If they want in, they are gonna get in.

Dean

Agreed, I spent 32 years reading police reports and my son was a Police Officer for a few years. I still lock stuff, but accept it "may" discourage someone; sure helps when dealing with your insurance company though.

Another often overlooked aspect is that it alerts you to a break in. Someone stole some expensive deer stands out of our barn and we didn't discover it until we were preparing for our hunt; don't have an idea when it was stolen and gave the thieves months to dispose of them.