How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the convenient access it provides to your backyard and the abundance of natural light it welcomes in. These entryways are valuable aspects of any Evansville residence, but also come with security risks. See why they’re a target for burglars and what you can do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Evansville

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are a couple of straightforward reasons why. To begin with, they are commonly made more for aesthetics than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically a cinch to bypass. They’re also installed at the rear of your Evansville house, giving intruders a greater opportunity to approach unseen. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

When experiencing warm temperatures and sunny days, your sliding patio door might be the most-frequented entryway in your home. You could develop a habit of keeping it unlatched so your little ones can go back and forth to the backyard easily. Even if you secure the door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can force open with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more likely to shatter glass when they’re out of sight. Some sliding doors have thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Criminals might attempt to pop the door off of its track and move 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 boost your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better protect your Evansville home’s sliding glass door

If you want to enhance the security of one of the most at-risk entrances in your Evansville house, here’s how to do so.

• Install security cameras. When would-be invaders see surveillance at your property, they’ll probably try to find a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively scare off prowlers with sound and lights.
• Use security sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to intrude or smash the glass. You’ll also receive an alert through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and simple to use. You might also choose a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Incorporate a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple solution that adds an additional layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood supports placed within the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Evansville from Vivint. We have all the devices you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be alerted right away. Call (812) 310-5880 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.