How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the abundance of sunlight it welcomes in and the easy access it delivers to your outdoor living space. These doorways are beneficial elements of any West Palm Beach residence, but also come with safety risks. Discover why they’re a target for burglars and what you can do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequently targeted in West Palm Beach

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also tempting to burglars. There are a couple of simple reasons why. First and foremost, they are generally constructed more for utility than security. Most don’t have deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are typically a cinch to bypass. They’re also placed at the rear of your West Palm Beach house, giving prowlers a better chance to approach without being seen. 

How do trespassers bypass sliding doors?

During nice temperatures and lovely days, your sliding patio door may be the most-frequented doorway at your house. You could develop a routine of keeping it unlocked so kids can go back and forth to the backyard on their own. Even when you lock your door, determined prowlers can get around it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. Many sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that intruders can circumvent with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Home invaders are more inclined to smash glass when they’re hidden from sight. Countless sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to break.
• Pry the door from its track. Criminals may try to force the door out of its track and move it away from the frame using a crowbar or other devices so they may squeeze through.

Even though it’s easy to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also not difficult to boost your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better protect your West Palm Beach home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your West Palm Beach residence’s most at-risk entry points, here’s how you can do it.

• Incorporate video cameras. When prospective thieves notice video cameras at your property, they’ll most likely find an easier target. They never want to risk being caught on camera. You can even choose video cameras that actively deter thieves with lights and sound.
• Use door sensors. Incorporate contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if a burglar tries to enter or shatter the window. Smart home systems will also notify you with alerts to your security system’s cell phone app.
• Install a more secure lock. Complement your simple flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are fantastic solutions and straightforward to secure. You might also get a sturdy, key-operated deadbolt.
• Add a security bar. A security bar is a simple approach that brings one more layer to your protection. These are typically metal or solid wood reinforcements positioned within the bottom door track. Make certain it’s sized properly for a tight fit.

Unlock the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in West Palm Beach

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a fully connected smart home in West Palm Beach from Vivint. We offer all the equipment you need, from cameras to door and window sensors. If anything activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring specialists will be informed instantly. Call (561) 556-7696 today to get more information and book your professional installation.