How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the plentiful sunlight it lets in and the effortless access it delivers to your backyard retreat. These entrances are desirable features for any San Bernardino residence, but also pose security risks. Discover why they’re targeted by theives and what you should do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in San Bernardino

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to thieves. There are a few simple reasons why. To begin with, they are typically made more for function than security. Many don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are usually easy to circumvent. Burglars also have a greater opportunity of approaching undetected as the doors are found at the back of your house. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

During warm temperatures and sunny days, your sliding door could be the most-frequented entry at your house. You may get in a habit of leaving it unlatched so kids can readily access the yard. Even when you fasten the door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more prone to break glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not hard to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pry the door out of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other devices so they can slip through.

Even though it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better defend your San Bernardino home’s sliding glass door

If you want to enhance the security of one of your San Bernardino property’s most vulnerable entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Implement video cameras. When would-be thieves spot video cameras, they’ll likely find a less secure target. They never want to risk being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off lurkers with lights and sound.
• Integrate security sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar attempts to enter or shatter the glass. You’ll also get an update through your home security mobile app.
• Add a more secure lock. Reinforce your basic flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and easy to use. You can also choose a more robust, key-operated deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a simple solution that provides one more layer to your security. These are often solid wood or metal supports fitted inside the bottom door track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

Unlock the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in San Bernardino

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with an integrated smart home in San Bernardino from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from surveillance cameras to window and door sensors. If a device trips, you and your 24-7 monitoring specialists will be informed right away. Contact (909) 324-3685 today to get more information and arrange your professional installation.