HILLMASTER Patio Door Handle Set with Mortise Lock 45° for Replacement Mortise Style Reversible Design Non-keyed Sliding Patio Glass Door Handles, Fits 3-15/16” Screw Hole Spacing White Finish

Why I picked up this handle set

My aging patio slider had a wobbling interior pull and a sticky hook that never quite caught the keeper. Rather than replacing the door, I went hunting for a budget-friendly, mortise-style replacement that matched the common 3-15/16-inch screw hole spacing. The Hillmaster patio door handle set ticked the right boxes on paper: reversible, non-keyed, a 45° mortise lock included, and a white die-cast finish that wouldn’t clash with the frame. After installing it and living with it for a while, here’s how it actually performed.

What’s in the box

The kit is straightforward and complete:
- Interior handle with standoffs
- Exterior pull (non-keyed)
- Thumb-turn latch lever
- 45° mortise lock body
- Eight machine screws in four lengths (roughly 2-5/16", 1-15/16", 1-3/4", and 1-9/16")

It’s designed for standard mortise-hook style sliders with 3-15/16" center-to-center screw holes and door thicknesses from 1-1/4" to 1-3/4". The exterior is non-keyed by design and not convertible to keyed operation.

Fit and compatibility

If your door uses a mortise hook and has the common 3-15/16" screw spacing, this set should be in the running. The 45° mortise lock orientation matched my keeper, and the reversible setup meant I didn’t have to hunt for a specific left- or right-handed version. The only caveat is the mortise pocket itself: dimensions vary across door brands, especially on older aluminum or steel frames. On one metal slider I tested, the mortise pocket was just tight enough around the square section of the lock body that I would’ve needed to file the pocket—something I’m not keen to do on a metal door. On a vinyl-clad wood slider, the mortise dropped in cleanly.

Practical advice: measure your screw spacing, door thickness, and the mortise pocket opening before you commit. If you can, pull your old mortise and compare bodies side by side.

Installation experience

On a compatible door, installation took me under 20 minutes, including a little tuning of the keeper. The process went like this:
1. Removed the old handles and mortise.
2. Slid the new 45° mortise into the pocket and loosely secured it.
3. Mounted the exterior pull and interior handle, selecting screws to match the door thickness.
4. Attached the thumb-turn lever and tested throw and engagement before final tightening.

Two small notes from the bench:
- The interior handle uses standoffs that pass through the door skin. If your old interior handle was flat, you may need to open the through-holes slightly so the posts don’t bind. A 5/16" bit was enough on my door.
- Choose screw lengths carefully. Using screws that are too long can bottom out or bow the trim. Hand-tighten to avoid stripping; I preferred a manual screwdriver over a drill to be safe.

Overall, the install is uncomplicated as long as your door is truly mortise-hook style and you respect the dimensions.

Build quality and ergonomics

The handles are painted, die-cast metal with a white finish. They’re not heavy, but they don’t feel toy-like either. The finish on my set was even and consistent, and the edges were clean with no burrs. Compared to premium solid aluminum sets, this feels lighter and a bit more hollow, but for a budget replacement it’s serviceable.

The exterior “handle” is really more of a low-profile grab than a full wrap-around pull. It gives you enough purchase to slide the door but won’t please someone who expects a chunky outdoor grip or has reduced hand strength. On the inside, the handle contour is comfortable and clears trim nicely.

The thumb-turn lever has a positive feel and enough surface area to operate without fumbling. One caution: on one of my doors, the latch lever developed a wiggle after several weeks and eventually failed. I contacted the seller and received a complete replacement kit promptly; the second set has been solid so far. I’d still call this a light- to medium-duty assembly rather than an abuse-ready one.

Locking performance

The included mortise lock engages with a satisfying bite once aligned with the keeper. Out of the box, my keeper sat a hair low, causing the latch to drag and “lock hard.” A small vertical adjustment brought the hook into perfect alignment, after which the thumb-turn moved with firm but smooth resistance. The lock’s 45° orientation matters—if your keeper expects a straight-throw hook, you’ll want to confirm compatibility before ordering.

This is an interior-only lock. If you need to lock or unlock from outside, this isn’t the set for you. There’s a cosmetic knockout on the exterior pull, but the unit is not convertible to a keyed function, and I would not recommend trying to modify it for keyed operation.

Everyday use

With the keeper aligned, the door opens and closes cleanly. The interior handle is stable under push-pull forces, and the white finish has held up to fingerprints and daily use better than I expected; a quick wipe restores the look. The non-keyed exterior is fine for sliders that exit to a private backyard or a fenced patio but not ideal for situations where you routinely step outside and want to lock up behind you.

Noise-wise, there are no rattles. The mortise action stays consistent, and the thumb-turn hasn’t loosened on the second set. The biggest ergonomic compromise is that exterior grab—functional, but not luxurious.

Shortcomings and cautions

• Non-keyed only: No upgrade path to an exterior key. That’s a deal-breaker for some.
• Exterior grab is minimal: It’s more a flat pull than a handle you can wrap your fingers around.
• Hardware softness: The screws are on the softer side. Go slow with a hand screwdriver to avoid stripping and select the correct length to prevent bottoming out.
• Mortise pocket variance: On some metal doors, the mortise body may not fit without modification. Always compare dimensions first.
• Light-duty feel: Die-cast parts are fine for typical residential use, but not as stout as premium metal sets.

Tips for a cleaner install

• Confirm your screw hole spacing is exactly 3-15/16" center-to-center.
• Measure door thickness and test-fit screw lengths before final assembly.
• Check mortise pocket dimensions, especially on metal frames.
• Align the keeper to eliminate “hard locking”—tiny adjustments can make a big difference.
• If switching from a flat interior handle, be prepared to slightly enlarge through-holes for the new standoffs.
• Tighten by hand and stop once the trim seats; overtightening can strip threads or deform the escutcheon.

Value

This set lives in the budget-replacement category, priced well below many OEM or premium retrofit kits. You get a complete handle and lock solution, a clean white finish, and broad compatibility for the most common mortise configuration. If you’re refreshing a rental, prepping a home for sale, or just trying to revive a sticky slider without spending heavily, the value is hard to argue with—provided the non-keyed limitation fits your use case.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners with mortise-hook style sliders using the 3-15/16" screw spacing
• Doors where interior-only locking is acceptable
• Budget-conscious replacements or quick flips where a clean, functional upgrade beats a full door swap

Who should look elsewhere:
- Anyone who needs a keyed exterior lock
- Users who want a beefy outdoor handle with more grip
- Doors with nonstandard mortise pockets or different hook orientations

Recommendation

I recommend the Hillmaster patio door handle set as an economical, no-nonsense replacement for standard mortise-style sliding doors—so long as you don’t need an exterior key and your door matches the common 3-15/16" spacing. It installs quickly, looks clean, and the included 45° mortise lock provides solid engagement once aligned. The materials feel light-duty compared to premium options, and the exterior grip is minimal, but for the price and the convenience of a complete kit, it delivers reliable everyday function. If you require a keyed exterior or a more substantial build, step up to a higher-grade, keyed handle set; otherwise, this checks the right boxes for a straightforward, budget-friendly fix.