How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the convenient access it provides to your backyard retreat and the bounty of daylight it welcomes in. These entryways are valuable elements of any Blacksburg residence, but also pose safety risks. Discover why they’re a target for intruders and what you can do to stop break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Blacksburg

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are a few explanations. First and foremost, they are commonly constructed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often easy to bypass. They’re also positioned at the rear of your Blacksburg house, giving intruders an improved opportunity to approach unseen. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

When you have warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding door might be the most-utilized entry in your home. You may a routine of leaving it unlocked so your little ones can access your outdoor space easily. Even when you secure the door, burglars can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can circumvent with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more inclined to break glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of many sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Criminals could try to force the door off the track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they are able to slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s easy to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to boost your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better defend your Blacksburg home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of the most susceptible entryways in your Blacksburg home, here’s how you can.

• Implement security cameras. When would-be intruders spot surveillance, they’ll likely try to locate an easier target. They never want to risk being captured on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with lights and sound.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor tries to enter or shatter the glass. You’ll also receive a notification through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and simple to operate. You could also get a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar is a time-tested method that brings one more layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements positioned inside the bottom door track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a fully connected smart home in Blacksburg from Vivint. We provide all the devices you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If something trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be alerted immediately. Call (540) 340-9402 today to find out more and book your professional installation.