How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the plentiful light it welcomes in and the easy access it delivers to your backyard. These entrances are desirable features for any Napa home, but also come with security risks. Discover why they’re preferred by theives and what you should do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Napa

As sought-after as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also tempting to thieves. There are some explanations. First and foremost, they are commonly designed more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locks are often a cinch to bypass. Intruders also have a a greater likelihood of approaching unseen as the doors are typically at the rear of your home. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

When you have sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding patio door could be the most-utilized doorway in your home. You might a pattern of keeping it unlocked so kids can easily go back and forth to the yard. Even if you fasten the door, determined intruders can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can unlock with a simple tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more likely to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Countless sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Pry the door from its track. Burglars might try to pry the door off the track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or another tool so they can fit through.

Even though it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to improve your security. Discover what you might do.

Better defend your Napa home’s sliding glass door

If you want to boost the security of one of the most vulnerable entrances in your Napa house, here’s how you can do it.

• Install surveillance cameras. When potential intruders spot video cameras, they’ll most likely try to find a less protected target. They won’t want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even get video cameras that actively scare off prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar starts to intrude or shatter the glass. You’ll also be sent an alert through your security system’s smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic add-ons and easy to use. You could also incorporate a sturdy, keyed deadbolt.
• Incorporate a door brace. A door brace is a simple solution that adds one more layer to your security. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements placed inside the door’s lower track. Ensure it’s designed properly for a tight fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Napa from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from window and door sensors to surveillance cameras. If anything triggers, you and your 24-7 monitoring agents will be informed immediately. Call (707) 895-5704 today to learn more and schedule your professional installation.