How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it welcomes in and the convenient access it provides to your outdoor living space. These entrances are beneficial aspects of any St. George property, but also pose safety risks. Discover why they’re preferred by theives and what you can do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in St. George

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to burglars. There are some explanations. To begin with, they are typically made more for function than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually easy to circumvent. Burglars also have a better chance of approaching without being seen as the doors are found at the back of your house. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing warm temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding glass door could be the most-utilized doorway at your home. You could a habit of leaving it open so your children can go back and forth to the yard on their own. Even if you lock your door, burglars can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can unlock with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is easy to shatter.
• Remove the door from its track. Burglars could attempt to force the door out of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or another implement so they can slip through.

Although it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Learn how you can make it happen.

Better secure your St. George home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of the most susceptible entrances in your St. George home, here’s how to do so.

• Install security cameras. When potential thieves spot surveillance, they’ll likely try to find an easier target. They don’t want to be caught on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively discourage thieves with audible and visual warnings.
• Use door sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted visitor attempts to come in or shatter the glass. You’ll also get an alert through your home security cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and straightforward to use. You might also choose a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a traditional solution that brings one more layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood supports positioned inside the bottom door track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in St. George

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in St. George from Vivint. We offer all the tools you need, from surveillance cameras to door and window sensors. If anything activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be informed immediately. Reach out to (435) 375-3735 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.