How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the bounty of sunlight it lets in and the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat. These entrances are desirable aspects of any Sacramento home, but also present security concerns. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you should do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Sacramento

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to intruders. There are a few straightforward explanations. Primarily, they are generally designed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often easy to bypass. Prowlers also have a better chance of approaching unseen as the doors are located at the back of your residence. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

During clear days and nice temperatures, your sliding door could be the most-used doorway in your home. You might develop a routine of keeping it open so your little ones can easily access the outdoor area. Even if you secure the door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can unlock with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Prowlers are more likely to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Many sliding doors use thin glass that’s easy to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they can slip through.

Although it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to boost your security. Discover what you can do.

Better secure your Sacramento home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of your Sacramento property’s most vulnerable entry points, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential intruders spot video cameras at your property, they’ll likely find an easier target. They won’t want to risk being caught on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively discourage lurkers with lights and sound.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar starts to enter or shatter the glass. You’ll also get a notification through your security system’s mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Replace or complement your basic flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular options and simple to use. You might also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-operated deadbolt.
• Incorporate a door brace. A security bar is a time-tested approach that brings one more layer to your defense. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed inside the door’s lower track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

Unlock the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Sacramento

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a fully connected smart home in Sacramento from Vivint. We provide all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If something triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be informed immediately. Reach out to (916) 914-8674 today to find out more and book your professional installation.