How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the bounty of light it welcomes in and the easy access it delivers to your backyard. These entrances are desirable features for any Wilmington home, but also present security concerns. Learn why they’re a target for theives and what you can do to avoid break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Wilmington

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are a few reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly designed more for function than security. Most don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often simple to circumvent. They’re also positioned at the rear of your Wilmington residence, giving prowlers an improved opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do intruders force entry through sliding doors?

When you have warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding door could be the most-utilized doorway at your house. You may get in a pattern of leaving it unlatched so your little ones can effortlessly access the backyard. Even when you lock your door, burglars can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can force open with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Criminals could attempt to force the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or another implement so they may slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to step up your security. Discover what you can do.

Better protect your Wilmington home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of the most vulnerable entryways in your Wilmington residence, here’s how you can do it.

• Install video cameras. When potential thieves notice video cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to locate an easier target. They don’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively deter lurkers with lights and sound.
• Use door sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if a burglar starts to enter or shatter the window. You’ll also get an update through your security system’s smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and straightforward to use. You could also get a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple method that brings another layer to your security. These are typically solid wood or metal reinforcements fitted inside the bottom door track. Make certain it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Wilmington from Vivint. We have all the devices you need, from window and door sensors to surveillance cameras. If something trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be notified instantly. Reach out to (910) 634-2695 today to get more information and schedule your professional installation.