How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it creates to your backyard retreat and the abundance of daylight it lets in. These doorways are valuable aspects of any Worcester home, but also come with security risks. Discover why they’re preferred by burglars and what you might do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Worcester

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are some straightforward reasons why. First and foremost, they are typically constructed more for function than security. Many don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are often simple to manipulate. Prowlers also have a better chance of approaching undetected as the doors are found at the back of your home. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

When you have sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding patio door might be the most-utilized entryway at your home. You may get in a pattern of leaving it unlocked so your little ones can easily go back and forth to the outdoor area. Even if you lock your door, determined intruders can get around it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that intruders can force open with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more likely to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of many sliding doors is easy to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars might attempt to pop the door off of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they are able to slip through.

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

Better secure your Worcester home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to enhance the security of one of the most at-risk entrances in your Worcester house, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential thieves notice surveillance around your house, they’ll probably try to find an easier target. They won’t want to be caught on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with sound and lights.
• Integrate door sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar starts to enter or shatter the window. You’ll also receive a notification through your home security cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and straightforward to operate. You might also get a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar is a simple approach that brings another layer to your security. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed inside the bottom door track. Ensure it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Worcester

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with an integrated smart home in Worcester from Vivint. We have all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything activates, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted instantly. Call (508) 392-5472 today to learn more and book your professional installation.