How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the convenient access it offers to your backyard and the bounty of light it brings in. These entrances are beneficial aspects of any Sioux City residence, but also present security concerns. Discover why they’re preferred by theives and what you might do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Sioux City

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are some straightforward explanations. First and foremost, they are generally made more for aesthetics than security. The majority don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually easy to bypass. Prowlers also have a better chance of approaching without being seen as the doors are typically at the back of your house. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding glass door could be the most-used entryway at your home. You may get in a habit of leaving it unlocked so kids can get to the backyard on their own. Even when you secure the door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more likely to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not hard to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pry the door off the track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they can squeeze through.

Even though it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Discover how you can make it happen.

Better protect your Sioux City home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of the most at-risk entrances in your Sioux City house, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate security cameras. When potential intruders spot video cameras at your property, they’ll likely try to find a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively scare off thieves with sound and lights.
• Use door sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted guest starts to enter or smash the glass. Advanced systems will even notify you with alerts to your home security smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and simple to operate. You might also get a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a time-tested approach that adds one more layer to your protection. These are often solid wood or metal supports positioned along the bottom door track. Make certain it’s measured properly for a snug fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entry points with a comprehensive smart home in Sioux City from Vivint. We have all the equipment you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If anything activates, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Call (712) 600-3453 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.