How to secure a sliding glass door

You love your sliding glass door for the plentiful daylight it lets in and the effortless access it provides to your backyard. These entryways are beneficial features for any San Jose home, but also present security concerns. Discover why they’re targeted by theives and what you can do to avoid intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in San Jose

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to families, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are some explanations. To begin with, they are commonly designed more for aesthetics than security. The majority don’t use deadbolts, and their locks are usually a cinch to manipulate. Burglars also have a better chance of approaching undetected as the doors are located at the rear of your home. 

How do intruders bypass sliding doors?

When you have clear days and nice temperatures, your sliding door may be the most-frequented entryway at your home. You could a pattern of keeping it open so your children can access the yard on their own accord. Even when you fasten the door, determined prowlers can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that intruders can unlock with a common tool.
• Shatter the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to break glass when they’re out of sight. Countless sliding doors include thin glass that’s not difficult to shatter.
• Remove the door from its track. Criminals could attempt to pry the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame using a crowbar or another tool so they may squeeze through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to get around sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Learn what you might do.

Better defend your San Jose home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to enhance the security of one of the most vulnerable entrances in your San Jose house, here’s how you can.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When would-be invaders spot cameras, they’ll most likely find a less protected target. They don’t want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively deter lurkers with sound and lights.
• Use security sensors. Install glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will sound if a burglar tries to come in or smash the glass. You’ll also receive an alert through your home security smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your standard flip lock with a deadbolt designed for sliding doors. Foot bolt locks are terrific add-ons and easy to use. You might also get a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Add a door brace. A security bar or brace is a traditional solution that adds another layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood or metal supports fitted within the bottom door track. Make sure it’s designed properly for a secure fit.

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

Better defend your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a fully connected smart home in San Jose from Vivint. We provide all the devices you need, from window and door sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If a device activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring experts will be notified right away. Contact (408) 790-0318 today to get more information and schedule your professional installation.