I would like to make a hole right where the cyan marking is (vertically above the existing screw head which is part of the frame assembly). This is basically a metallic door frame which happens to be on the corner where two sliding doors meet. I need to the hole to attach something to the frame. I've only done a bit of drilling into walls. Is there something I should take into account here? Which anchor should I use? Could this mess up the door somehow? Thanks.
Is it safe to drill in this sliding door frame
door-framedrillsliding-glass-door
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Best Answer
If there are wooden 2 x 4s or 2 x 6s behind the metal door frame, then you will not need anchors. I would use 1-1/2" to 1-3/4" wood screws. With a small enough drill for a pilot hole only for the screws you are going to use, drill a hole in the metal and continue to a depth of 2" from the surface of the metal. If there is wood behind, you should get wood shavings out the hole or clinging to the drill bit.
If drilling this pilot hole reveals substantial wood members behind the metal, enlarge the hole in the metal with a larger bit to allow free passage of the screws through the metal. You do not want the screw threads to engage both the metal and the wood (if there is an air gap between the metal and wood behind) because this could deform the metal.
When tightening down the screw to secure the bracket, do not tighten past snug (do NOT over-tighten) because this could deform the metal, if there is an air gap between the metal and a wood member behind.