How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your backyard and the plentiful daylight it lets in. These doorways are beneficial elements of any Washington DC residence, but also present security risks. Discover why they’re targeted by theives and what you might do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Washington DC

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also attractive to thieves. There are a couple of straightforward reasons why. To begin with, they are commonly designed more for aesthetics than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically a cinch to circumvent. Intruders also have a greater opportunity of approaching undetected as the doors are typically at the rear of your home. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have bright and sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding door may be the most-utilized entry at your house. You may get in a habit of leaving it unlatched so your little ones can readily enter and exit to the outdoor area. Even if you fasten the door, determined intruders can get around 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 likely to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves might try to pop the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame with a crowbar or other tools so they can fit through.

Although it’s easy to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to improve your security. See what you might do.

Better protect your Washington DC home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your Washington DC residence’s most at-risk doors, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate surveillance cameras. When prospective intruders see cameras at your property, they’ll probably try to locate a less protected target. They never want to be recorded on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively scare off prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor tries to intrude or smash the glass. You’ll also receive a notification through your security system’s smartphone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular options and straightforward to use. You can also incorporate a sturdy, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple method that adds an additional layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood reinforcements fitted within the bottom door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Washington DC

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a fully connected smart home in Washington DC from Vivint. We have all the devices you need, from door and window sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device trips, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified instantly. Call (202) 780-3214 today to find out more and book your professional installation.