How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the convenient access it creates to your backyard retreat and the bounty of light it welcomes in. These doorways are valuable features for any Abilene residence, but also present security risks. See why they’re a target for theives and what you might do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Abilene

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward explanations. Primarily, they are typically made more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t use deadbolts, and their locking systems are often easy to circumvent. Prowlers also have a greater opportunity of approaching unseen as the doors are located at the back of your house. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing warm temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding door could be the most-utilized entryway in your home. You might fall into a habit of keeping it unlatched so your children can access the yard on their own accord. Even when you lock your door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that burglars can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more inclined to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s easy to break.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves might try to pop the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they may squeeze through.

Even though it’s not difficult to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Discover what you might do.

Better secure your Abilene home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of the most at-risk entryways in your Abilene residence, here’s how you can do it.

• Install surveillance cameras. When prospective invaders notice video cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to find a less protected target. They never want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively deter lurkers with lights and sound.
• Integrate security sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted visitor starts to enter or shatter the glass. You’ll also get an alert through your home security smartphone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Replace or complement your basic flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and straightforward to use. You can also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a simple method that brings one more layer to your security. These are often solid wood or metal supports placed inside the bottom door track. Make sure it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a fully connected smart home in Abilene from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified instantly. Call (325) 378-0098 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.