Frameless Glass Door (Hinged/Swinging)
Hinged frameless and semi-frameless glass doors have no stile to drill and no timber to screw into. Toughened glass cannot be drilled after tempering, so the lock has to work with the existing patch fitting or clamp to the leaf. That constraint, not the access method, drives the choice here.
How locks attach to glass
Toughened glass cannot be drilled on site. Any attempt shatters the leaf. If the door has no existing holes or patch, the lock has to clamp or move to the frame. Measure the glass thickness and photograph the existing fittings before ordering.
Measure and record
- Glass thickness in mm, taken at the edge with a gauge or callipers
- Whether the leaf is frameless, semi-frameless or has a full perimeter frame
- Existing patch fitting make and dimensions, top and bottom
- Door swing direction and hinge side
- Floor spring or overhead closer presence, which affects patch selection
Where these are used
- Office and reception entries, and internal meeting room doors
- Retail shopfronts and showroom entries
- Pool and courtyard enclosures with frameless panels
- Residential glass entries in contemporary builds
Related categories
Glass Sliding Doors · Door with Narrow Frame · Internal Doors · Mortice Locks
Common questions
Can any smart lock be fitted to a frameless glass door?
No. Standard smart locks assume a solid leaf with a mortice pocket and cylinder hole. On frameless glass the lock must either use the existing patch fitting or clamp to the leaf, which is a much smaller set of products.
No. Standard smart locks assume a solid leaf with a mortice pocket and cylinder hole. On frameless glass the lock must either use the existing patch fitting or clamp to the leaf, which is a much smaller set of products.
What glass thickness do clamp-mount locks take?
Most work in the 8 mm to 12 mm range, which covers typical toughened door glass. Measure at the edge rather than assuming, as nominal and actual thickness can differ.
Most work in the 8 mm to 12 mm range, which covers typical toughened door glass. Measure at the edge rather than assuming, as nominal and actual thickness can differ.
Will fitting a lock void the glass warranty?
Clamping generally does not, since the leaf is unmodified. Anything requiring modification of the glass will, and in practice is not possible on toughened panels. Confirm with the door supplier if the installation is under warranty.
Clamping generally does not, since the leaf is unmodified. Anything requiring modification of the glass will, and in practice is not possible on toughened panels. Confirm with the door supplier if the installation is under warranty.
Guides and reference
Ch 04 - Door type compatibility · Ch 02 - Assessing existing hardware · Site survey service