How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the bounty of light it welcomes in and the convenient access it offers to your backyard. These doorways are valuable aspects of any Allentown property, but also come with security risks. See why they’re preferred by intruders and what you might do to stop break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Allentown

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are a couple of simple explanations. First and foremost, they are commonly designed more for utility than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are typically simple to bypass. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching unseen as the doors are found at the back of your house. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

During warm temperatures and sunny days, your sliding patio door might be the most-frequented doorway in your home. You may fall into a pattern of keeping it unlatched so kids can get to the yard easily. Even when you secure the door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that burglars can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves might try to pry the door off the track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to slip through.

Even though it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to step up your security. See what you might do.

Better defend your Allentown home’s sliding glass door

If you want to boost the security of one of the most vulnerable doors in your Allentown home, here’s how to do so.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When potential thieves spot video cameras, they’ll probably try to find an easier target. They don’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Integrate door sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest starts to come in or smash the window. Modern systems will even inform you with communications to your home security mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and straightforward to operate. You might also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a door brace. A security bar or brace is a simple solution that adds an additional layer to your defense. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed inside the lower door track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

Unlock the door to a new level of security with a Vivint smart home in Allentown

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Allentown from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be alerted instantly. Call (601) 514-6514 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.