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 delivers to your backyard. These entrances are beneficial features for any Ithaca property, but also pose security concerns. Discover why they’re targeted by burglars and what you should do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Ithaca

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward explanations. To begin with, they are generally made more for function than security. Many don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often easy to circumvent. They’re also installed at the back of your Ithaca home, giving intruders an improved chance to approach without being seen. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing clear days and warm temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-used entryway at your home. You may fall into a routine of leaving it unlocked so your little ones can readily access the outdoor area. Even when you fasten the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more prone to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors include thin glass that’s not hard to shatter.
• Remove the door from its track. Burglars may try to pop the door off the track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or other tools so they may slip through.

Even though it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better protect your Ithaca home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of your Ithaca home’s most susceptible entrances, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential thieves see video cameras at your property, they’ll likely try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to be recorded on camera. You can even choose video cameras that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Integrate security sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar tries to intrude or break the window. Modern systems will even notify you with updates to your home security cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic add-ons and straightforward to use. You can also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a traditional approach that adds another layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood or metal supports positioned inside the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Ithaca from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from video cameras to door and window sensors. If something triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be notified instantly. Reach out to (607) 600-9658 today to get more information and schedule your professional installation.