How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the effortless access it offers to your backyard retreat and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These entrances are valuable features for any Cedar Rapids home, but also pose security concerns. Discover why they’re a target for theives and what you should do to prevent break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are commonly targeted in Cedar Rapids

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are some simple reasons why. Primarily, they are generally made more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locking systems are often easy to manipulate. Intruders also have a better chance of approaching undetected as the doors are typically at the back of your home. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

During sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding door might be the most-frequented entryway at your house. You may get in a routine of leaving it open so kids can readily enter and exit to the backyard. Even if you fasten the door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to break glass when they’re hidden from sight. The thin glass of many sliding doors is not hard to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals may attempt to pop the door off of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they can squeeze through.

Although it’s not difficult to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Discover what your options are.

Better secure your Cedar Rapids home’s sliding glass door

If you want to boost the security of one of the most susceptible entryways in your Cedar Rapids home, here’s how you can do it.

• Install security cameras. When would-be intruders notice surveillance around your house, they’ll likely try to locate a less secure target. They don’t want to take the chance of being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with sound and lights.
• Connect entrypoint sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will sound if an unwanted visitor starts to intrude or smash the window. Advanced systems will also alert you with communications to your home security mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt manufactured for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific solutions and straightforward to operate. You might also get a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a time-tested solution that brings one more layer to your security. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed inside the lower door track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

Unlock the door to improved security with a Vivint smart home in Cedar Rapids

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entry points in your home with a fully connected smart home in Cedar Rapids from Vivint. We have all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If something triggers, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be notified right away. Reach out to (319) 419-4827 today to find out more and arrange your professional installation.