How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the effortless access it provides to your backyard retreat and the bounty of light it brings in. These entryways are valuable features for any Mobile property, but also come with safety risks. See why they’re targeted by burglars and what you should do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Mobile

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a few simple reasons why. To begin with, they are typically designed more for aesthetics than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locking systems are usually a cinch to circumvent. They’re also placed at the back of your Mobile home, giving prowlers a greater opportunity to approach without being seen. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

When experiencing warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door could be the most-used entryway at your home. You may a habit of leaving it unlatched so your little ones can go back and forth to the backyard on their own accord. Even when you fasten the door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that burglars can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more likely to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals may attempt to force the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they can fit through.

Despite the fact that it’s easy to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to step up your security. See what you might do.

Better defend your Mobile home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of your Mobile residence’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Install surveillance cameras. When would-be invaders see surveillance around your house, they’ll likely try to find an easier target. They won’t want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively scare off lurkers with audible and visual warnings.
• Use door sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if a burglar tries to come in or smash the window. Advanced systems will even inform you with updates to your home security smartphone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and straightforward to secure. You could also get a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple approach that adds another layer to your defense. These are typically solid wood or metal supports placed inside the bottom door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a secure fit.

Unlock the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Mobile

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a fully connected smart home in Mobile from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If anything trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be alerted immediately. Contact (251) 336-3077 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.