How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the plentiful light it lets in and the effortless access it delivers to your backyard. These doorways are valuable elements of any Virginia Beach property, but also come with security risks. Learn why they’re preferred by theives and what you can do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are common targets in Virginia Beach

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also enticing to thieves. There are a few straightforward explanations. First and foremost, they are commonly designed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are usually easy to bypass. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching undetected as the doors are located at the back of your home. 

How do trespassers circumvent sliding doors?

During clear days and nice temperatures, your sliding glass door could be the most-frequented entryway at your home. You may develop a pattern of keeping it open so your little ones can easily access the yard. Even if you secure the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that burglars can force open with a simple tool.
• Break the glass. Thieves are more prone to break glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of many sliding doors is not hard to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals may try to force the door out of its track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or another tool so they are able to squeeze through.

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

Better protect your Virginia Beach home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of the most at-risk doors in your Virginia Beach house, here’s how you can.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When prospective thieves see surveillance at your property, they’ll likely try to find an easier target. They don’t want to risk being caught on camera. You can even get surveillance tools that actively discourage thieves with sound and lights.
• Integrate door sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your comprehensive security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to intrude or shatter the window. You’ll also be sent a notification through your home security cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and easy to use. You might also choose a sturdy, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a traditional solution that adds one more layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood supports fitted inside the door’s lower track. Make sure it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to a new level of security with a Vivint smart home in Virginia Beach

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all your home’s entryways with an integrated smart home in Virginia Beach from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be informed immediately. Reach out to (757) 294-8561 today to find out more and book your professional installation.