How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the effortless access it offers to your backyard retreat and the plentiful light it brings in. These entrances are desirable elements of any Toledo home, but also come with security risks. Learn why they’re a target for burglars and what you can do to stop break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Toledo

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are a couple of explanations. Primarily, they are typically constructed more for function than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to bypass. Prowlers also have a a greater likelihood of approaching without being seen as the doors are located at the rear of your residence. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

When you have nice temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door may be the most-utilized doorway at your house. You may get in a pattern of keeping it open so your little ones can go back and forth to your outdoor space on their own accord. Even if you lock your door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that intruders can force open with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Some sliding doors have thin glass that’s not hard to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves might attempt to pop the door off the track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other devices so they are able to squeeze through.

Although it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to boost your security. See how you can make it happen.

Better protect your Toledo home’s sliding glass door

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

• Install security cameras. When potential intruders see video cameras, they’ll probably try to find an easier target. They don’t want to be recorded on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively discourage prowlers with sound and lights.
• Use entrypoint sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest attempts to intrude or break the glass. Modern systems will even alert you with alerts to your home security smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and simple to operate. You could also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a door brace. A security bar is a time-tested solution that provides one more layer to your defense. These are typically metal or solid wood reinforcements positioned within the bottom door track. Make sure it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

Unlock the door to a new level of security with a Vivint smart home in Toledo

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a comprehensive smart home in Toledo from Vivint. We provide all the equipment you need, from video cameras to door and window sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted instantly. Call (419) 614-6278 today to get more information and book your professional installation.