How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the convenient access it provides to your backyard retreat and the plentiful natural light it brings in. These entryways are beneficial aspects of any Fort Wayne property, but also come with security risks. See why they’re preferred by intruders and what you should do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Fort Wayne

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are a couple of simple reasons why. To begin with, they are commonly made more for utility than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically simple to manipulate. They’re also positioned at the rear of your Fort Wayne home, giving prowlers an improved opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

When experiencing sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding patio door could be the most-used entryway in your home. You could get in a habit of leaving it unlatched so your children can go back and forth to the backyard easily. Even if you lock your door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that burglars can force open with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Some sliding doors include thin glass that’s easy to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves might try to force the door off the track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they can fit through.

Despite the fact that it’s easy to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to step up your security. See what you can do.

Better protect your Fort Wayne home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of the most susceptible entryways in your Fort Wayne house, here’s how you can.

• Implement video cameras. When prospective intruders see cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to locate a less protected target. They don’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even choose surveillance tools that actively scare off thieves with lights and sound.
• Connect security sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will sound if a burglar attempts to intrude or break the window. You’ll also get an update through your security system’s mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and easy to secure. You might also choose a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a traditional method that provides one more layer to your protection. These are typically metal or solid wood supports positioned within the bottom door track. Make sure it’s measured properly for a secure fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Fort Wayne from Vivint. We provide all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If a device triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be notified immediately. Contact (260) 286-9602 today to learn more and book your professional installation.