How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the abundance of sunlight it brings in and the effortless access it provides to your backyard. These doorways are valuable features for any Charlottesville property, but also present security risks. See why they’re targeted by burglars and what you should do to avoid break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Charlottesville

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also attractive to intruders. There are some reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly made more for utility than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically easy to bypass. Burglars also have a a greater likelihood of approaching without being seen as the doors are typically at the rear of your house. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

During warm temperatures and sunny days, your sliding door might be the most-used entryway at your house. You may a habit of keeping it open so your children can go back and forth to the yard easily. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Prowlers are more prone to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Many sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Criminals might try to force the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or other tools so they can squeeze through.

Even though it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to step up your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better defend your Charlottesville home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of the most at-risk entryways in your Charlottesville residence, here’s how to do so.

• Install surveillance cameras. When prospective intruders see cameras, they’ll probably try to find a less protected target. They won’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively scare off lurkers with audible and visual warnings.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted guest tries to enter or shatter the window. Modern systems will also alert you with alerts to your security system’s cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific add-ons and straightforward to use. You could also get a heavier-duty, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple solution that brings an additional layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood supports fitted inside the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s measured properly for a secure fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Charlottesville

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entry points with a fully connected smart home in Charlottesville from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If something activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be notified immediately. Reach out to (434) 404-5302 today to find out more and book your professional installation.