How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it welcomes in and the effortless access it provides to your backyard. These doorways are desirable elements of any Fayetteville home, but also present safety risks. See why they’re a target for burglars and what you can do to prevent unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are commonly targeted in Fayetteville

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are some simple reasons why. To begin with, they are typically designed more for function than security. Many don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually easy to bypass. Prowlers also have a a greater likelihood of approaching unseen as the doors are located at the back of your home. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing pleasant temperatures and lovely days, your sliding door could be the most-used entry at your home. You may a habit of leaving it unlatched so kids can effortlessly go back and forth to the backyard. Even if you secure the door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that housebreakers can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more prone to smash glass when they’re out of sight. Many sliding doors include thin glass that’s easy to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves might attempt to pop the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or another device so they can fit through.

Although it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to improve your security. See how you can make it happen.

Better protect your Fayetteville home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of your Fayetteville property’s most at-risk entry points, here’s how to do so.

• Install surveillance cameras. When would-be intruders notice video cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to find a less secure target. They never want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even choose surveillance systems that actively deter lurkers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate door sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor tries to come in or shatter the glass. Advanced systems will also notify you with alerts to your home security cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and easy to secure. You could also get a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a door brace. A door brace is a time-tested method that adds an additional layer to your protection. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed within the bottom door track. Make sure it’s designed properly for a secure fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entry points with a fully connected smart home in Fayetteville from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If something activates, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be notified immediately. Reach out to (910) 718-9601 today to get more information and book your professional installation.