How to Lock a Screen Door

Screen doors allow you to open the security door to your home and circulate air through the house. Often used on country homes where security isn't an issue, these doors feature a wooden or metal frame supporting a screen. The screen prevents insects from entering the home and serves as a barrier to keep pets and small children from wandering outside. The screen door does not prevent access to the house by intruders, as the screen can be broken to gain access to the home.

Door key

Instructions

- 1
  Determine the type of lock on your screen door. These range from simple eye-and-hook locks -- sometimes referred to as gate locks -- to push-button locks. Metal screen doors typically contain built-in push-button locks or sliding levers to lock the door, whereas wooden frames often utilize an eye and hook lock.
- 2
  Close the screen door securely, and lock it with a key for push-button latches. Some latches contain a lever below the handle that slides into a locked position. Move this lever to the "Lock" position. For eye-and-hook locks, slip the hook into the "eye" to secure the door. Depress the button in the center of knob latches to lock the door.
- 3
  Push gently on the screen door to check the lock. If it resists your efforts, the screen door is locked and cannot be opened from the outside.
- 4
  Slide a sliding screen door to the closed position. Move the lever located near the handle on the frame of the screen door to the locking position.
- 5
  Check that a sliding screen door is locked by trying to slide it open. If it resists your efforts, the screen door is locked.

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