How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the convenient access it creates to your outdoor living space and the plentiful daylight it lets in. These doorways are desirable aspects of any Greenville home, but also present safety risks. Learn why they’re preferred by burglars and what you can do to stop break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Greenville

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are some straightforward reasons why. Primarily, they are typically made more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are typically easy to manipulate. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are typically at the back of your residence. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

During warm temperatures and sunny days, your sliding door may be the most-frequented entry at your house. You could get in a pattern of leaving it unlatched so kids can readily go back and forth to the outdoor area. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can unlock with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Thieves are more inclined to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Many sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door off the track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they may slip through.

Although it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to step up your security. Learn what you might do.

Better defend your Greenville home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of the most at-risk entrances in your Greenville home, here’s how to do so.

• Incorporate surveillance cameras. When would-be intruders see surveillance at your property, they’ll most likely find an easier target. They never want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Integrate security sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar tries to come in or break the window. Smart home systems will even notify you with communications to your security system’s cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and simple to operate. You could also get a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple approach that provides one more layer to your defense. These are often solid wood supports positioned within the lower door track. Ensure it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with an integrated smart home in Greenville from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from door and window sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If something activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be notified immediately. Reach out to (864) 660-7126 today to get more information and arrange your professional installation.