How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the plentiful sunlight it brings in and the easy access it delivers to your backyard. These entrances are valuable features for any Athens property, but also pose security concerns. Discover why they’re targeted by intruders and what you might do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Athens

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are a few straightforward reasons why. First and foremost, they are typically designed more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are usually simple to bypass. They’re also installed at the back of your Athens home, giving burglars a better opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have bright and sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-used doorway at your home. You might develop a habit of keeping it unlocked so your little ones can get to the backyard on their own. Even when you fasten the door, burglars can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can force open with a simple tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more likely to shatter glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not hard to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves could attempt to pry the door off the track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or other tools so they are able to fit through.

Even though it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to step up your security. Learn what you can do.

Better secure your Athens home’s sliding glass door

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

• Install security cameras. When prospective thieves notice surveillance around your house, they’ll likely try to find a less secure target. They won’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off lurkers with sound and lights.
• Integrate security sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor attempts to come in or smash the window. Advanced systems will even inform you with alerts to your home security cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic add-ons and easy to use. You might also get a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar or brace is a time-tested solution that adds another layer to your defense. These are typically solid wood supports positioned inside the lower door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a fully connected smart home in Athens from Vivint. We provide all the devices you need, from surveillance cameras to door and window sensors. If anything activates, you and your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be alerted instantly. Contact (706) 800-8603 today to get more information and book your professional installation.