How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of light it brings in and the effortless access it provides to your backyard. These doorways are desirable aspects of any Columbia property, but also come with safety risks. See why they’re preferred by theives and what you might do to prevent intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Columbia

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are some reasons why. Primarily, they are typically designed more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to manipulate. Burglars also have a greater opportunity of approaching undetected as the doors are located at the rear of your residence. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

When experiencing sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding door could be the most-used entry at your house. You might fall into a routine of leaving it unlocked so kids can easily go back and forth to the backyard. Even if you lock your door, burglars can get around it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that housebreakers can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more prone to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is not difficult to shatter.
• Pry the door from its track. Criminals may attempt to pry the door off the track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they are able to slip 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 what you can do.

Better secure your Columbia home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to boost the security of one of your Columbia residence’s most at-risk entry points, here’s how you can do it.

• Implement security cameras. When potential intruders spot surveillance, they’ll likely try to locate an easier target. They don’t want to risk being caught on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively discourage thieves with lights and sound.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted guest attempts to come in or shatter the glass. You’ll also get an update through your security system’s smartphone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Replace or complement your basic flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and simple to operate. You can also choose a heavier-duty, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a door brace. A security bar or brace is a time-tested approach that adds an additional layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood supports fitted inside the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

Open the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Columbia

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Columbia from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from surveillance cameras to window and door sensors. If a device triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be alerted instantly. Reach out to (573) 641-8250 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.