How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it welcomes in and the convenient access it offers to your outdoor living space. These doorways are valuable elements of any Albany residence, but also pose safety risks. Learn why they’re targeted by intruders and what you can do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Albany

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a couple of straightforward reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly made more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are typically easy to bypass. They’re also installed at the back of your Albany home, giving intruders a greater opportunity to approach unseen. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When experiencing warm temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding patio door could be the most-used entryway at your home. You may fall into a pattern of keeping it open so your children can access your outdoor space on their own accord. Even when you fasten the door, burglars can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Prowlers are more likely to smash glass when they’re out of sight. Some sliding doors have thin glass that’s easy to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves may try to pop the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they can fit through.

Although it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to step up your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better defend your Albany home’s sliding glass door

If you want to boost the security of one of your Albany property’s most vulnerable entry points, here’s how you can.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When potential thieves spot video cameras around your house, they’ll probably try to locate a less secure target. They won’t want to risk being captured on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively deter lurkers with lights and sound.
• Connect door sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar starts to intrude or break the window. You’ll also get a notification through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific options and simple to secure. You might also get a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a traditional method that provides an additional layer to your defense. These are typically solid wood or metal reinforcements placed within the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in Albany from Vivint. We have all the devices you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If something activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be alerted immediately. Reach out to (518) 900-7096 today to learn more and book your professional installation.