How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the plentiful sunlight it welcomes in and the easy access it offers to your backyard. These entrances are beneficial aspects of any Alpharetta residence, but also pose security concerns. See why they’re preferred by intruders and what you can do to avoid unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in Alpharetta

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also enticing to intruders. There are a couple of reasons why. Primarily, they are generally designed more for function than security. Many don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are often easy to manipulate. Prowlers also have a better chance of approaching unseen as the doors are typically at the rear of your home. 

How do burglars force entry through sliding doors?

During sunny days and nice temperatures, your sliding glass door could be the most-used doorway at your home. You could fall into a routine of keeping it unlocked so your children can readily go back and forth to the yard. Even if you fasten the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more likely to break glass when they’re out of sight. Countless sliding doors use thin glass that’s not difficult to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars may attempt to pry the door off the track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or other devices so they can fit through.

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

Better protect your Alpharetta home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of the most vulnerable doors in your Alpharetta residence, here’s how to do so.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When would-be thieves notice cameras around your house, they’ll probably try to locate an easier target. They never want to take the chance of being captured on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively deter prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate door sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will trigger if an unwanted visitor attempts to come in or shatter the window. Modern systems will also inform you with updates to your home security mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular options and easy to secure. You can also choose a more robust, key-turned deadbolt.
• Incorporate a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a traditional solution that provides one more layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood supports placed within the lower door track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with a fully connected smart home in Alpharetta from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from cameras to window and door sensors. If something triggers, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be notified right away. Call (678) 379-1627 today to find out more and book your professional installation.