How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it creates to your backyard retreat and the bounty of daylight it lets in. These doorways are desirable elements of any Charleston property, but also present safety risks. Learn why they’re a target for intruders and what you can do to avoid break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Charleston

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are a couple of simple explanations. First and foremost, they are commonly constructed more for function than security. The majority don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically easy to manipulate. Burglars also have a greater opportunity of approaching undetected as the doors are located at the back of your home. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

During pleasant temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding glass door might be the most-used entryway at your home. You might a pattern of keeping it open so kids can go back and forth to the backyard on their own. Even when you lock your door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more prone to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s not difficult to shatter.
• Pry the door from its track. Criminals could try to pop the door off the track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or another device so they can squeeze through.

Despite the fact that 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 defend your Charleston home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your Charleston property’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential invaders notice cameras around your house, they’ll probably try to find a less secure target. They never want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively discourage thieves with audible and visual warnings.
• Connect door sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted guest tries to enter or break the window. Smart home systems will even notify you with alerts to your home security mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic options and straightforward to use. You might also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple approach that adds one more layer to your defense. These are traditionally metal or solid wood reinforcements positioned along the bottom door track. Ensure it’s measured properly for a snug fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a fully connected smart home in Charleston from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from video cameras to window and door sensors. If a device triggers, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Contact (843) 892-5638 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.