How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of sunlight it welcomes in and the convenient access it provides to your backyard. These doorways are desirable aspects of any Hagerstown residence, but also present safety risks. Learn why they’re preferred by theives and what you can do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Hagerstown

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a couple of simple reasons why. To begin with, they are generally designed more for function than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locking systems are usually simple to circumvent. Prowlers also have a a greater likelihood of approaching without being seen as the doors are found at the rear of your house. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

During clear days and pleasant temperatures, your sliding patio door could be the most-used doorway at your home. You might develop a habit of leaving it unlocked so your little ones can access the yard on their own accord. Even if you lock your door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Many sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars could try to pop the door off the track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they may squeeze through.

Even though it’s easy to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to improve your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better protect your Hagerstown home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of your Hagerstown home’s most vulnerable entry points, here’s how you can.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When prospective thieves spot surveillance at your property, they’ll likely find an easier target. They won’t want to be recorded on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage lurkers with sound and lights.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted visitor tries to come in or break the window. Advanced systems will also notify you with communications to your security system’s cell phone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and straightforward to operate. You might also choose a sturdy, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple approach that provides an additional layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements positioned inside the lower door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

Unlock the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Hagerstown

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Hagerstown from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from door and window sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If anything triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be alerted immediately. Call (301) 923-4840 today to get more information and book your professional installation.