How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it brings in and the convenient access it offers to your outdoor living space. These entrances are desirable elements of any Prescott home, but also present security risks. Discover why they’re a target for burglars and what you might do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Prescott

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward explanations. First and foremost, they are generally made more for function than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often simple to bypass. They’re also positioned at the back of your Prescott home, giving intruders a greater chance to approach undetected. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

When experiencing bright and sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding glass door may be the most-utilized entryway in your home. You may a habit of keeping it unlatched so your little ones can easily go back and forth to the yard. Even when you lock your door, burglars can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can circumvent with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Many sliding doors have thin glass that’s easy to break.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals might try to pop the door off of its track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they can slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s easy to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to improve your security. Learn what your options are.

Better defend your Prescott home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to enhance the security of one of your Prescott home’s most vulnerable entrances, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate video cameras. When would-be intruders notice video cameras, they’ll probably try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage lurkers with lights and sound.
• Use entrypoint sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted visitor starts to come in or shatter the window. You’ll also receive an update through your home security mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic options and straightforward to operate. You can also get a sturdy, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a door brace. A security bar or brace is a time-tested method that brings another layer to your defense. These are often solid wood supports placed inside the door’s lower track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Prescott

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in Prescott from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If something triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be informed immediately. Contact (928) 267-6739 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.