How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the effortless access it creates to your backyard and the bounty of natural light it welcomes in. These entryways are valuable elements of any Gainesville residence, but also present security risks. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you should do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Gainesville

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to burglars. There are a couple of simple reasons why. To begin with, they are generally designed more for utility than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often a cinch to circumvent. They’re also positioned at the back of your Gainesville house, giving intruders a better opportunity to approach unseen. 

How do trespassers force entry through sliding doors?

When experiencing clear days and warm temperatures, your sliding glass door could be the most-utilized entryway in your home. You might a habit of keeping it unlocked so kids can go back and forth to the backyard on their own accord. Even when you lock your door, determined intruders can get around it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can unlock with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is easy to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves may try to force the door out of its track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or other devices so they may slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s easy to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better defend your Gainesville home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of your Gainesville property’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential intruders see video cameras, they’ll likely try to find a less secure target. They never want to be recorded on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Use door sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor tries to intrude or break the glass. Smart home systems will also inform you with updates to your security system’s smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Replace or complement your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and simple to use. You could also incorporate a heavier-duty, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple method that provides one more layer to your protection. These are traditionally metal or solid wood reinforcements placed within the bottom door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with an integrated smart home in Gainesville from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from window and door sensors to surveillance cameras. If something triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be notified immediately. Call (352) 922-3696 today to get more information and book your professional installation.