How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the easy access it creates to your backyard and the abundance of daylight it lets in. These entryways are beneficial aspects of any Long Beach residence, but also present safety risks. Discover why they’re preferred by burglars and what you should do to stop unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Long Beach

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are a few reasons why. Primarily, they are typically constructed more for utility than security. Many don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are usually simple to bypass. They’re also placed at the back of your Long Beach home, giving prowlers a better chance to approach undetected. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

When you have pleasant temperatures and lovely days, your sliding patio door might be the most-frequented doorway at your house. You might a pattern of keeping it unlocked so your little ones can go back and forth to your outdoor space on their own. Even when you secure the door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that burglars can force open with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to break glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of numerous sliding doors is easy to shatter.
• Force the door from its track. Thieves might try to pry the door off of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they can slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to improve your security. See what your options are.

Better protect your Long Beach home’s sliding glass door

If you want to enhance the security of one of your Long Beach home’s most vulnerable doors, here’s how to do so.

• Install security cameras. When potential thieves spot cameras, they’ll probably try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even find surveillance systems that actively scare off thieves with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Connect contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if a burglar starts to enter or smash the glass. You’ll also receive a notification through your security system’s cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Reinforce your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and simple to operate. You might also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a security bar. A door brace is a simple method that provides an additional layer to your protection. These are often solid wood reinforcements placed within the lower door track. Ensure it’s measured properly for a secure fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Long Beach

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a comprehensive smart home in Long Beach from Vivint. We provide all the tools you need, from cameras to window and door sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Call (562) 376-5457 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.