How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the effortless access it offers to your backyard retreat and the plentiful light it brings in. These entrances are beneficial elements of any Lafayette residence, but also come with safety risks. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you should do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Lafayette

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are some reasons why. First and foremost, they are typically constructed more for utility than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually simple to bypass. They’re also installed at the back of your Lafayette home, giving intruders an improved chance to approach undetected. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

During nice temperatures and sunny days, your sliding glass door could be the most-frequented entryway at your house. You may develop a pattern of keeping it unlocked so your children can go back and forth to the backyard on their own. Even when you fasten the door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can unlock with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Thieves are more prone to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Burglars may attempt to pry the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they are able to fit through.

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

Better secure your Lafayette home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of the most susceptible entryways in your Lafayette home, here’s how you can do it.

• Install video cameras. When potential intruders see cameras around your house, they’ll likely find a less secure target. They don’t want to be captured on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage lurkers with lights and sound.
• Use door sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar attempts to enter or break the glass. Smart home systems will even alert you with alerts to your home security cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your basic flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and straightforward to secure. You might also incorporate a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A door brace is a traditional method that adds another layer to your defense. These are traditionally metal or solid wood reinforcements fitted inside the lower door track. Make sure it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with an integrated smart home in Lafayette from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from video cameras to door and window sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be notified right away. Call (765) 540-9213 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.