How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it welcomes in and the easy access it delivers to your outdoor living space. These doorways are beneficial aspects of any State College home, but also pose safety risks. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you might do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in State College

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are a couple of straightforward reasons why. First and foremost, they are typically constructed more for utility than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to bypass. Intruders also have a better chance of approaching without being seen as the doors are located at the back of your residence. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

During pleasant temperatures and lovely days, your sliding door may be the most-utilized entry at your house. You may fall into a habit of keeping it open so your children can easily go back and forth to the outdoor area. Even if you lock your door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that intruders can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more likely to shatter glass when they’re out of sight. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s easy to shatter.
• Remove the door from its track. Burglars might try to force the door off the track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or another implement so they can slip through.

Although it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to improve your security. See how you can make it happen.

Better secure your State College home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your State College home’s most susceptible entry points, here’s how you can.

• Install surveillance cameras. When prospective invaders see surveillance, they’ll most likely find an easier target. They never want to be caught on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Use security 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 smash the window. Modern systems will also alert you with alerts to your security system’s mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular options and easy to operate. You might also incorporate a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A security bar is a traditional approach that adds another layer to your defense. These are typically solid wood or metal supports positioned inside the door’s bottom track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in State College from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from video cameras to window and door sensors. If something triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be informed immediately. Call (814) 752-4276 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.