How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the effortless access it provides to your outdoor living space and the abundance of daylight it brings in. These doorways are valuable features for any Dothan property, but also present security concerns. Discover why they’re a target for theives and what you should do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Dothan

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a few straightforward reasons why. Primarily, they are typically made more for utility than security. The majority don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually easy to manipulate. Prowlers also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are typically at the back of your house. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When you have warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding door could be the most-utilized entryway at your home. You could develop a pattern of keeping it unlatched so kids can readily enter and exit to the outdoor area. Even if you fasten the door, determined intruders can get around it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can force open with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to smash glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not difficult to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals might attempt to pop the door off the track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to slip through.

Even though it’s not difficult to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to boost your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better protect your Dothan home’s sliding glass door

If you want to enhance the security of one of the most at-risk entryways in your Dothan house, here’s how you can.

• Implement security cameras. When potential thieves notice video cameras, they’ll likely try to find an easier target. They won’t want to be captured on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively scare off lurkers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar starts to come in or smash the glass. Modern systems will even notify you with communications to your home security cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular options and straightforward to use. You could also incorporate a more robust, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A door brace is a time-tested approach that adds another layer to your defense. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements placed inside the door’s bottom track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Dothan from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from video cameras to window and door sensors. If something triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be notified instantly. Reach out to (334) 378-2166 today to find out more and book your professional installation.