How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat and the abundance of natural light it welcomes in. These entryways are valuable aspects of any Scranton residence, but also present security concerns. See why they’re targeted by burglars and what you should do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are commonly targeted in Scranton

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward explanations. Primarily, they are generally designed more for function than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are usually easy to manipulate. They’re also placed at the back of your Scranton house, giving intruders a better chance to approach undetected. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

During clear days and pleasant temperatures, your sliding patio door may be the most-used doorway at your house. You may get in a habit of keeping it unlatched so kids can readily enter and exit to the backyard. Even when you secure the door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can unlock with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more prone to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s not hard to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals may attempt to pop the door off of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to fit through.

Even though it’s easy to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better defend your Scranton home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of the most susceptible doors in your Scranton home, here’s how to do so.

• Incorporate surveillance cameras. When would-be thieves see cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to locate a less protected target. They won’t want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively scare off lurkers with sound and lights.
• Connect security sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to intrude or shatter the glass. Smart home systems will also alert you with communications to your home security cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and straightforward to operate. You might also incorporate a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a door brace. A door brace is a simple approach that provides one more layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements positioned inside the bottom door track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with an integrated smart home in Scranton from Vivint. We provide all the equipment you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If something trips, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be alerted immediately. Reach out to (570) 775-5689 today to learn more and book your professional installation.