How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the bounty of sunlight it welcomes in and the convenient access it delivers to your backyard. These entrances are valuable elements of any Lexington home, but also present safety risks. Learn why they’re targeted by theives and what you should do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Lexington

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a couple of simple reasons why. To begin with, they are generally made more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often easy to circumvent. They’re also installed at the rear of your Lexington house, giving intruders a better chance to approach unseen. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

During bright and sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding glass door may be the most-frequented entryway at your home. You might a habit of leaving it unlatched so your children can get to the backyard on their own. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is not difficult to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals could try to pry the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame with a crowbar or other equipment so they are able to squeeze through.

Despite the fact that it’s simple to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to improve your security. Learn how you can make it happen.

Better defend your Lexington home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of the most susceptible doors in your Lexington residence, here’s how you can.

• Install video cameras. When prospective invaders spot video cameras, they’ll probably try to find a less secure target. They won’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even choose surveillance tools that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar tries to enter or smash the window. You’ll also get an alert through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your basic flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and simple to operate. You might also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple solution that brings an additional layer to your defense. These are often metal or solid wood reinforcements fitted within the door’s lower track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Lexington from Vivint. We have all the equipment you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be notified immediately. Call (859) 203-1366 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.