How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the abundance of light it welcomes in and the effortless access it offers to your outdoor living space. These entryways are valuable aspects of any St. Paul residence, but also pose security concerns. See why they’re a target for burglars and what you should do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in St. Paul

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are a few reasons why. First and foremost, they are generally constructed more for function than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are usually easy to circumvent. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are found at the rear of your house. 

How do intruders circumvent sliding doors?

During bright and sunny days and pleasant temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-utilized doorway in your home. You may a pattern of leaving it unlatched so kids can get to the yard easily. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have standard locks that burglars can force open with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more prone to smash glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not hard to break.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door off of its track and yank it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they may slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Discover what you can do.

Better protect your St. Paul home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to enhance the security of one of the most at-risk doors in your St. Paul residence, here’s how you can do it.

• Install video cameras. When potential thieves notice surveillance around your house, they’ll probably try to find an easier target. They don’t want to risk being captured on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively deter prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate door sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor starts to come in or break the glass. You’ll also be sent a notification through your home security cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Replace or complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific add-ons and simple to secure. You might also get a sturdy, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A door brace is a time-tested solution that adds one more layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood reinforcements fitted within the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in St. Paul

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with an integrated smart home in St. Paul from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If something trips, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified right away. Reach out to (651) 240-6686 today to get more information and arrange your professional installation.