How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door

You love your sliding glass door for the effortless access it offers to your outdoor living space and the plentiful light it lets in. These doorways are valuable elements of any Dover home, but also pose safety risks. Discover why they’re targeted by intruders and what you might do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Dover

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are some explanations. First and foremost, they are generally constructed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking systems are often easy to circumvent. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are found at the back of your residence. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding glass door might be the most-frequented entryway in your home. You may develop a routine of keeping it unlocked so your little ones can effortlessly enter and exit to the yard. Even if you lock your door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more likely to smash glass when they’re out of sight. Many sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Burglars may attempt to pop the door off of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or another implement so they may fit through.

Even though it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to improve your security. See how you can make it happen.

Better defend your Dover home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your Dover residence’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how you can.

• Install security cameras. When would-be invaders spot surveillance at your property, they’ll most likely find a less protected target. They don’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even choose surveillance systems that actively scare off thieves with sound and lights.
• Integrate security sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor tries to enter or break the glass. You’ll also get a notification through your home security cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and easy to secure. You can also get a sturdy, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar is a time-tested solution that adds another layer to your protection. These are traditionally metal or solid wood reinforcements fitted inside the lower door track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

Open the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Dover

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with a fully connected smart home in Dover from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from cameras to window and door sensors. If a device activates, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be informed immediately. Call (302) 321-3498 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.