How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the bounty of daylight it welcomes in and the convenient access it delivers to your backyard retreat. These doorways are beneficial features for any Mansfield property, but also come with security risks. Learn why they’re preferred by intruders and what you should do to stop unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Mansfield

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a couple of simple reasons why. First and foremost, they are generally made more for utility than security. Many don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to manipulate. Burglars also have a greater opportunity of approaching unseen as the doors are found at the rear of your house. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have clear days and warm temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-utilized entry in your home. You could fall into a pattern of keeping it open so your little ones can easily enter and exit to the outdoor area. Even when you lock your door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have basic locks that intruders can unlock with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is easy to shatter.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves might attempt to pop the door off the track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or another implement so they are able to slip through.

Although it’s simple to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to boost your security. Learn what you might do.

Better secure your Mansfield home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of the most at-risk entryways in your Mansfield house, here’s how to do so.

• Install security cameras. When potential intruders spot cameras at your property, they’ll most likely try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to be recorded on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off thieves with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate door sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar tries to come in or shatter the window. Smart home systems will also alert you with updates to your home security smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and straightforward to use. You could also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar is a traditional solution that brings an additional layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood or metal supports fitted within the bottom door track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a secure fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Mansfield from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from window and door sensors to video cameras. If a device activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be informed right away. Reach out to (419) 614-6093 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.