How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the plentiful daylight it brings in and the easy access it delivers to your outdoor living space. These entrances are beneficial elements of any Colorado Springs home, but also pose security concerns. Discover why they’re a target for intruders and what you should do to stop break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Colorado Springs

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are a couple of simple reasons why. Primarily, they are commonly constructed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are typically easy to manipulate. Burglars also have a a greater likelihood of approaching without being seen as the doors are located at the rear of your home. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have warm temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding glass door may be the most-frequented entry in your home. You may fall into a habit of leaving it unlatched so kids can readily enter and exit to the yard. Even if you fasten the door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more likely to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is not hard to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves might try to pry the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they may fit through.

Even though it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Learn what you might do.

Better protect your Colorado Springs home’s sliding glass door

If you’re ready to improve the security of one of your Colorado Springs property’s most susceptible doors, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate video cameras. When potential intruders spot cameras, they’ll likely try to find a less secure target. They don’t want to be captured on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Use security sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar starts to enter or break the glass. Advanced systems will even notify you with updates to your home security mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your basic flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and simple to secure. You could also choose a sturdy, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar is a simple solution that brings one more layer to your security. These are typically solid wood or metal supports fitted within the bottom door track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a snug fit.

Open the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Colorado Springs

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Colorado Springs from Vivint. We offer all the tools you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If anything triggers, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be alerted right away. Call (719) 666-9853 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.