How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These entryways are beneficial elements of any Bend home, but also come with safety risks. See why they’re targeted by intruders and what you can do to avoid break-ins.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Bend

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to intruders. There are a couple of simple reasons why. To begin with, they are generally designed more for utility than security. The majority don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually a cinch to circumvent. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching without being seen as the doors are found at the rear of your residence. 

How do burglars bypass sliding doors?

During nice temperatures and sunny days, your sliding glass door could be the most-used entryway in your home. You might fall into a pattern of keeping it open so kids can easily go back and forth to the yard. Even if you fasten the door, burglars can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Numerous sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more prone to smash glass when they’re concealed from view. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is not hard to break.
• Remove the door from its track. Criminals might attempt to pop the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or other tools so they are able to squeeze through.

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

Better defend your Bend home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to enhance the security of one of your Bend home’s most susceptible entrances, here’s how you can do it.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When potential intruders see cameras around your house, they’ll likely find a less protected target. They never want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively discourage prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Connect door sensors. Incorporate glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest attempts to come in or break the window. Smart home systems will even alert you with updates to your security system’s mobile app.
• Install a more secure lock. Replace or complement your simple flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific add-ons and easy to secure. You could also get a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar or brace is a simple method that brings another layer to your security. These are typically metal or solid wood reinforcements placed inside the door’s bottom track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all your home’s entrances with an integrated smart home in Bend from Vivint. We have all the tools you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device activates, you and your round-the-clock monitoring agents will be notified right away. Call (541) 327-4968 today to learn more and arrange your professional installation.