How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat and the plentiful light it welcomes in. These entryways are beneficial features for any Appleton home, but also come with security risks. Learn why they’re preferred by intruders and what you can do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Appleton

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are some explanations. To begin with, they are commonly made more for utility than security. Most don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often a cinch to manipulate. They’re also positioned at the back of your Appleton house, giving burglars an improved opportunity to approach without being seen. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

During clear days and pleasant temperatures, your sliding door may be the most-utilized doorway at your house. You might fall into a pattern of leaving it open so your children can go back and forth to your outdoor space easily. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can unlock with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. Some sliding doors use thin glass that’s not difficult to break.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door off the track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other devices so they can fit through.

Despite the fact that it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to step up your security. Learn what you might do.

Better defend your Appleton home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of your Appleton home’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how you can do it.

• Implement security cameras. When prospective invaders notice video cameras around your house, they’ll most likely try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage thieves with sound and lights.
• Connect door sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to come in or shatter the window. You’ll also be sent an update through your home security smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific options and easy to operate. You might also incorporate a heavier-duty, keyed deadbolt.
• Incorporate a door brace. A security bar is a time-tested approach that provides another layer to your protection. These are often metal or solid wood supports fitted inside the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entry points with a comprehensive smart home in Appleton from Vivint. We offer all the tools you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If anything activates, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be notified right away. Contact (920) 259-2449 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.