How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the bounty of daylight it lets in and the effortless access it offers to your backyard retreat. These entryways are beneficial features for any Trenton property, but also pose security concerns. Learn why they’re a target for burglars and what you might do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Trenton

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to intruders. There are some explanations. To begin with, they are typically designed more for utility than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are usually easy to bypass. They’re also placed at the back of your Trenton house, giving prowlers a greater opportunity to approach unseen. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

When you have sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-frequented entry at your house. You might develop a routine of leaving it open so kids can go back and forth to the yard on their own. Even when you secure the door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that intruders can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re hidden from sight. Many sliding doors have thin glass that’s not difficult to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door off of its track and yank it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they are able to squeeze through.

Even though it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Discover what you might do.

Better secure your Trenton home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of your Trenton property’s most vulnerable doors, here’s how to do so.

• Incorporate security cameras. When would-be intruders spot cameras around your house, they’ll most likely try to locate an easier target. They don’t want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively discourage prowlers with lights and sound.
• Connect door sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to come in or smash the window. You’ll also get an alert through your home security smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic add-ons and easy to secure. You can also incorporate a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a simple solution that adds one more layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood supports fitted within the lower door track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

Open the door to a new level of security with a Vivint smart home in Trenton

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in Trenton from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from window and door sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified immediately. Reach out to (609) 928-8223 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.