How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the effortless access it provides to your backyard retreat and the plentiful natural light it welcomes in. These entryways are desirable elements of any Bowling Green home, but also come with security risks. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you might do to prevent unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Bowling Green

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a few simple reasons why. To begin with, they are typically designed more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking systems are often easy to bypass. They’re also installed at the back of your Bowling Green house, giving intruders a greater chance to approach without being seen. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

When you have pleasant temperatures and sunny days, your sliding glass door may be the most-utilized entry in your home. You might a pattern of leaving it open so your children can effortlessly go back and forth to the yard. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re hidden from sight. Some sliding doors include thin glass that’s not difficult to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Burglars could try to pop the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other devices so they are able to fit through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to boost your security. See how you can do so.

Better protect your Bowling Green home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of the most susceptible doors in your Bowling Green home, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential thieves spot surveillance, they’ll most likely try to find an easier target. They won’t want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively discourage prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Connect security sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar starts to enter or break the window. You’ll also be sent a notification through your security system’s mobile app.
• Add a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and straightforward to use. You could also get a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple solution that adds one more layer to your protection. These are often solid wood or metal reinforcements positioned along the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Bowling Green

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Bowling Green from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If anything activates, you and your round-the-clock monitoring specialists will be informed immediately. Reach out to (270) 514-2292 today to get more information and arrange your professional installation.