House Guard White Patio Door Handle Set with Cylinder Lock,Suitable for Replacement Sliding Patio Doors Lock 3-15/16”Screw Hole Spacing.Choices That Add a Unique to Your Patio Glass Sliding Door.

Why I tried this handle set

My aging sliding patio door needed two things: a sturdier pull and a keyed lock outside so I could re-enter without hiding a spare key. I installed the House Guard 1006 handle set on a standard aluminum slider with 3-15/16-inch screw spacing, reusing the existing mortise lock in the door. After several weeks of daily use (and a bit of tinkering during installation), I have a clear sense of where this handle shines and where it still feels like a budget-friendly upgrade.

Installation: mostly straightforward, with one gotcha

If your door has the common 3-15/16-inch hole spacing and a standard mortise lock, the 1006 drops in cleanly. My steps looked like this:
- Remove the old interior/exterior pulls and thumb-turn.
- Test-fit the new escutcheons to verify the screw holes line up and the thumb-turn engages the mortise.
- Trim the cylinder tailpiece to length (more on that below), then mount the exterior handle with the keyed cylinder.
- Install the interior handle, aligning the thumb-turn with the mortise, and snug the two through-screws.

Two notes that saved me time:
- Tailpiece length: The exterior cylinder ships with a stepped, break-off tailpiece. On my door, I had to shorten it by one notch to avoid bottoming out in the mortise. Heavy pliers worked, but a small hacksaw gives cleaner results. Don’t force the cylinder to seat with an overlong tailpiece; you’ll bind the mechanism.
- Don’t over-tighten: Like many sliding door handle sets, if you crank the through-screws too hard, the thumb-turn can rub or bind. Snug, test the latch, then snug again.

If your stile is on the thinner end of the 1.25–2.25-inch range, you might notice a touch of flex. I added two thin nylon washers under the screw heads to stabilize the clamp without overtightening. That eliminated the tiny wiggle I initially felt in the pull.

Fit and compatibility

The narrow 1-inch escutcheon is handy on doors with slim stiles; it covered my old footprint without overhanging into the glass sightline. The bosses on both sides of the escutcheon help keep the assembly square and reduce flex once tightened.

Compatibility caveats:
- Mortise lock: This set is a handle and cylinder, not a replacement mortise. If your door’s mortise is worn or misaligned, fix that first; no handle will compensate for a failing latch.
- Cylinder clearance: On some frames, the exterior key can sit close to the interlock or frame “pocket.” Check you have room to turn the key fully once the door is closed; if you’re extremely tight on clearance, you may need to slightly reposition your strike plate or consider a low-profile cylinder. On my door, clearance was fine, but it’s worth measuring.

Ergonomics and day-to-day use

The pull is generously sized and easy to grab, even when the track isn’t spotless. The contour feels a step up from the generic slab pulls you find in big-box kits. Family members with smaller hands appreciated the deeper grip; it’s easier to tug a heavy panel without pinching your fingertips.

The thumb-turn inside has a decisive throw. With reasonable screw tension, I haven’t had the bind I sometimes get with thin cast handles. There’s still a small amount of play inherent to most mortise-driven handles, but not enough to feel cheap or loose.

Lock performance

Out of the box, the keyed cylinder was slightly stiff. A couple of quick passes with a dry lock lubricant made a noticeable difference. After that, rotation was smoother, though there’s still a faint “notchiness” as the cam engages the mortise. I wouldn’t call it silky, but it’s predictable.

Security-wise, this is a convenience cylinder. It’s adequate for keeping the door secured like a typical residential slider, but it’s not a high-security upgrade. If you’re concerned about forced entry, pair it with a track bar or a secondary anti-lift device. For my needs—locking and unlocking from the outside without fuss—it’s more than sufficient.

Build quality and finish

This is an aluminum-base handle with an electrostatically applied finish. Mine is white; the coating is even, with no thin spots or orange peel at the edges. After weeks in direct sun and a few bumps during yard work, there’s no chalking or flaking. The finish wipes clean easily.

The overall feel lands between the ultra-cheap plastic sets and a heavy cast zinc handle. It’s not tank-like, but it doesn’t feel fragile either. If you expect the mass of an OEM cast pull from a premium sunroom brand, this won’t match that. If you’re replacing a basic broken handle, you’ll likely see it as a solid step up.

What I liked

• Clean fit on standard 3-15/16-inch spacing and common mortise setups
• Comfortable, easy-to-grip pull that makes heavy panels easier to move
• Narrow 1-inch escutcheon suits slimmer stiles without looking odd
• Durable finish that resists scuffs and cleans up well
• Exterior key adds real-world convenience for everyday in-and-out use
• Good value compared with OEM replacement sets

What could be better

• Cylinder action is a bit stiff and “notchy” unless you lubricate it
• Over-tightening the screws can bind the thumb-turn; there’s a narrow sweet spot
• A small amount of flex on thinner stiles unless you shim or use washers
• Clearance for the key can be tight on some frames; measure before you commit

Tips for a cleaner install

• Measure first: Confirm 3-15/16-inch screw spacing and stile thickness (1.25–2.25 inches).
• Inspect your mortise: If your latch is worn or the hook doesn’t fully engage, replace or realign the mortise before installing a new handle.
• Tailpiece trimming: Shorten the cylinder tailpiece in small steps; better to make two small cuts than one big mistake.
• Don’t overtighten: Snug screws, test the latch, then snug again. Use thin nylon washers if you need a touch more stability without adding friction.
• Lubricate the lock: Use a dry lock lube to smooth the cylinder and the mortise mechanism.
• Check key clearance: Close the door and confirm you can rotate the key fully with the door seated in the frame.

Value and alternatives

For the price, the House Guard 1006 handle set hits a practical sweet spot: a nicer-looking pull than generic budget kits, with an exterior cylinder that works reliably once set up. If you need the heft and precision of a premium OEM handle (or your door is part of a proprietary system), you may still prefer to source the manufacturer’s replacement. For most standard sliders, though, this is a sensible, cost-effective upgrade.

The bottom line

The House Guard 1006 doesn’t pretend to be a high-end, heavyweight solution, but it gets the essentials right: it fits common doors, looks clean, feels comfortable in the hand, and brings the convenience of an exterior key. Installation is approachable with basic tools, as long as you’re willing to trim the cylinder tailpiece and dial in screw tension.

Recommendation: I recommend this handle set for homeowners with standard 3-15/16-inch spacing who want a functional, better-looking replacement and an exterior lock without paying OEM prices. If your door has unusual frame geometry, extremely tight clearances around the key area, or you expect premium, all-metal heft with zero flex, you may want to consider a higher-end cast handle assembly. For everyone else, this is a thoughtful, budget-friendly refresh that does its job with minimal drama.