How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the plentiful daylight it brings in and the effortless access it offers to your backyard retreat. These entryways are beneficial aspects of any Youngstown residence, but also come with security risks. Discover why they’re targeted by intruders and what you can do to prevent unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Youngstown

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward explanations. Primarily, they are commonly constructed more for utility than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are often simple to bypass. They’re also placed at the rear of your Youngstown residence, giving burglars a better opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

When experiencing bright and sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding door may be the most-utilized entry at your home. You might develop a pattern of keeping it unlocked so your children can get to the backyard easily. Even when you secure the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can circumvent with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Thieves are more prone to shatter glass when they’re hidden from sight. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is not difficult to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars might attempt to pry the door off the track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to fit through.

Even though it’s simple to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to step up your security. Learn what you might do.

Better secure your Youngstown home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of your Youngstown home’s most vulnerable entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Install surveillance cameras. When potential thieves spot cameras at your property, they’ll likely try to find a less secure target. They never want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off thieves with lights and sound.
• Connect door sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted guest tries to enter or smash the glass. You’ll also receive an update through your home security smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific options and straightforward to use. You could also choose a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Incorporate a security bar. A security bar or brace is a traditional method that provides another layer to your security. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed within the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Youngstown from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from video cameras to door and window sensors. If a device triggers, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be notified immediately. Call (330) 632-1363 today to get more information and arrange your professional installation.