How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the bounty of sunlight it brings in and the easy access it offers to your backyard. These entrances are desirable aspects of any Oceanside home, but also pose security concerns. Discover why they’re preferred by intruders and what you can do to avoid break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are commonly targeted in Oceanside

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are a few explanations. Primarily, they are typically made more for function than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually simple to bypass. They’re also placed at the back of your Oceanside home, giving intruders an improved opportunity to approach undetected. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door might be the most-utilized entry in your home. You may develop a routine of keeping it unlocked so your little ones can go back and forth to your outdoor space on their own. Even when you lock your door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more likely to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Countless sliding doors have thin glass that’s easy to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars could try to pop the door out of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they can fit through.

Even though it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to boost your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better secure your Oceanside home’s sliding glass door

If you want to boost the security of one of your Oceanside residence’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Install video cameras. When would-be intruders spot video cameras, they’ll probably try to find a less protected target. They don’t want to take the chance of being recorded on camera. You can even choose surveillance tools that actively deter prowlers with sound and lights.
• Integrate security sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest attempts to intrude or break the window. Smart home systems will even alert you with updates to your home security mobile app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and easy to operate. You can also get a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar is a traditional approach that brings another layer to your protection. These are traditionally metal or solid wood supports placed inside the door’s lower track. Make certain it’s designed properly for a snug fit.

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

Better protect your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with a fully connected smart home in Oceanside from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from window and door sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything trips, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be alerted instantly. Reach out to (760) 304-1641 today to learn more and book your professional installation.