How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your outdoor living space and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These doorways are valuable aspects of any York residence, but also pose security risks. See why they’re preferred by theives and what you can do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in York

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are some reasons why. To begin with, they are typically made more for utility than security. Most don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking systems are often a cinch to circumvent. Burglars also have a a greater likelihood of approaching unseen as the doors are typically at the back of your residence. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

During bright and sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding door may be the most-frequented entry at your home. You might develop a habit of keeping it unlatched so your little ones can get to the yard on their own. Even if you fasten the door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that intruders can force open with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Home invaders are more likely to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Some sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to shatter.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars could attempt to pry the door out of its track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or other devices so they can fit through.

Even though it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to step up your security. Learn what you can do.

Better secure your York home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your York property’s most susceptible entry points, here’s how you can.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When prospective invaders notice surveillance at your property, they’ll likely try to find an easier target. They don’t want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively discourage prowlers with sound and lights.
• Use entrypoint sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted guest attempts to intrude or shatter the glass. Modern systems will also notify you with alerts to your security system’s mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic add-ons and simple to operate. You can also incorporate a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar is a time-tested approach that adds an additional layer to your security. These are typically solid wood or metal reinforcements positioned inside the lower door track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a comprehensive smart home in York from Vivint. We have all the devices you need, from cameras to window and door sensors. If anything trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Call (717) 973-7710 today to learn more and book your professional installation.