How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the effortless access it provides to your backyard retreat and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These entrances are valuable features for any Champaign residence, but also come with security concerns. Learn why they’re preferred by burglars and what you can do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Champaign

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to intruders. There are a few straightforward reasons why. First and foremost, they are typically constructed more for function than security. Many don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually a cinch to circumvent. They’re also installed at the rear of your Champaign residence, giving prowlers a better chance to approach unseen. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

When you have sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-used entryway at your house. You may get in a habit of keeping it open so your children can effortlessly go back and forth to the backyard. Even if you secure the door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that housebreakers can force open with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more prone to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Many sliding doors use thin glass that’s easy to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Burglars might attempt to pop the door off of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they may squeeze through.

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

Better defend your Champaign home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to enhance the security of one of the most vulnerable entrances in your Champaign home, here’s how you can do it.

• Install video cameras. When would-be thieves see surveillance, they’ll most likely try to find an easier target. They won’t want to be captured on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off thieves with lights and sound.
• Connect door sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor starts to come in or shatter the glass. Modern systems will also inform you with communications to your security system’s mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and straightforward to use. You might also choose a sturdy, key-operated deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a simple approach that adds an additional layer to your defense. These are often solid wood or metal reinforcements fitted inside the door’s bottom track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to a new level of security with a Vivint smart home in Champaign

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in Champaign from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device activates, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be notified instantly. Contact (217) 759-1212 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.