How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the convenient access it provides to your backyard and the abundance of natural light it welcomes in. These doorways are desirable aspects of any Spokane home, but also present safety risks. Discover why they’re preferred by burglars and what you should do to stop unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Spokane

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a couple of explanations. First and foremost, they are generally made more for function than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to circumvent. They’re also placed at the back of your Spokane home, giving prowlers a greater chance to approach without being seen. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

When you have nice temperatures and sunny days, your sliding patio door could be the most-frequented entryway at your home. You may get in a pattern of leaving it unlatched so kids can access your outdoor space on their own accord. Even when you lock your door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have standard locks that burglars can force open with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Thieves are more inclined to smash glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves could try to pry the door off of its track and move it away from the frame with 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 improve your security. See how you can do so.

Better secure your Spokane home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of the most at-risk entrances in your Spokane house, here’s how you can.

• Implement video cameras. When would-be thieves notice cameras around your house, they’ll most likely try to find a less secure target. They never want to be caught on camera. You can even choose video cameras that actively deter prowlers with lights and sound.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor attempts to come in or shatter the window. You’ll also be sent an alert through your home security cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your basic flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and simple to use. You can also get a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a security bar. A door brace is a traditional solution that brings an additional layer to your protection. These are often solid wood reinforcements placed along the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Spokane

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Spokane from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If a device activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified right away. Reach out to (509) 794-3440 today to get more information and schedule your professional installation.