How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These doorways are desirable features for any Peoria residence, but also present safety risks. Discover why they’re a target for theives and what you can do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Peoria

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are some simple reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly made more for aesthetics than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking systems are often easy to circumvent. Burglars also have a greater opportunity of approaching unseen as the doors are located at the back of your home. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

When experiencing nice temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door might be the most-utilized entry at your home. You may develop a pattern of leaving it unlocked so kids can easily go back and forth to the backyard. Even when you lock your door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can unlock with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more prone to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s not difficult to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Burglars could try to pop the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or another device so they are able to squeeze through.

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

Better protect your Peoria home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of the most vulnerable entrances in your Peoria home, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential thieves notice cameras at your property, they’ll most likely try to locate an easier target. They never want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even choose surveillance systems that actively scare off lurkers with lights and sound.
• Connect door sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor starts to intrude or break the window. You’ll also receive an alert through your home security smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and straightforward to secure. You might also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple method that provides one more layer to your defense. These are typically solid wood reinforcements placed inside the door’s lower track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Peoria

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with a fully connected smart home in Peoria from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If anything triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified instantly. Call (309) 332-1063 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.