How to Secure a Sliding Glass Door

You adore your sliding glass door for the abundance of light it lets in and the convenient access it provides to your backyard retreat. These entrances are desirable elements of any Modesto home, but also pose safety risks. Learn why they’re targeted by theives and what you might do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Modesto

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to burglars. There are some simple reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly designed more for utility than security. The majority don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are typically a cinch to bypass. They’re also placed at the back of your Modesto home, giving prowlers an improved chance to approach unseen. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

When you have sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding patio door could be the most-frequented entry at your house. You might fall into a habit of keeping it unlatched so your little ones can easily go back and forth to the yard. Even if you fasten the door, burglars can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can force open with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Home invaders are more prone to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves could attempt to force the door off the track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or other tools so they may fit through.

Even though it’s easy to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to step up your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better secure your Modesto home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of the most susceptible entrances in your Modesto home, here’s how you can do it.

• Install security cameras. When prospective thieves spot surveillance around your house, they’ll most likely try to find a less protected target. They never want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even choose surveillance tools that actively scare off thieves with lights and sound.
• Use entrypoint sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor attempts to enter or smash the glass. Modern systems will even notify you with communications to your security system’s cell phone app.
• Upgrade the 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 use. You might also get a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a time-tested method that brings an additional layer to your security. These are traditionally metal or solid wood reinforcements placed inside the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Modesto

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a comprehensive smart home in Modesto from Vivint. We provide all the devices you need, from video cameras to window and door sensors. If something triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be informed right away. Contact (209) 255-5672 today to get more information and schedule your professional installation.