How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the convenient access it creates to your backyard retreat and the abundance of light it welcomes in. These entrances are valuable elements of any Miami home, but also present security concerns. Discover why they’re a target for intruders and what you should do to stop unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Miami

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also attractive to burglars. There are some straightforward explanations. Primarily, they are typically made more for aesthetics than security. Most don’t use deadbolts, and their locking mechanisms are usually easy to manipulate. They’re also positioned at the back of your Miami home, giving burglars a greater chance to approach unseen. 

How do trespassers force entry through sliding doors?

When experiencing sunny days and warm temperatures, your sliding patio door could be the most-utilized entryway at your house. You might develop a routine of keeping it unlatched so your little ones can easily go back and forth to the outdoor area. Even when you fasten the door, determined prowlers can circumvent it. Here’s how:

• Jimmy the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have standard locks that intruders can force open with a common tool.
• Break the glass. Prowlers are more inclined to shatter glass when they’re concealed from view. Some sliding doors use thin glass that’s not difficult to shatter.
• Pry the door from its track. Thieves may attempt to pop the door out of its track and yank it away from the frame using a crowbar or other equipment so they are able to fit through.

Despite the fact that it’s not difficult to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also easy to improve your security. Discover how you can do so.

Better secure your Miami home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to boost the security of one of your Miami home’s most at-risk entrances, here’s how to do so.

• Install video cameras. When potential thieves see surveillance at your property, they’ll most likely find a less secure target. They never want to be captured on camera. You can even get surveillance systems that actively scare off prowlers with sound and lights.
• Connect security sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your integrated security system. The alarm will trigger if a burglar attempts to come in or smash the window. Advanced systems will also inform you with updates to your home security cell phone app.
• Add a more secure lock. Complement your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are terrific options and simple to operate. You could also choose a heavier-duty, key-turned deadbolt.
• Add a reinforcement bar. A security bar or brace is a traditional solution that adds another layer to your protection. These are traditionally solid wood or metal reinforcements placed inside the bottom door track. Make certain it’s measured properly for a tight fit.

Open the door to better security with a Vivint smart home in Miami

Better protect your sliding glass door and all the entrances in your home with a comprehensive smart home in Miami from Vivint. We offer all the tools you need, from door and window sensors to indoor and outdoor cameras. If anything triggers, you and your round-the-clock monitoring specialists will be notified immediately. Reach out to (786) 833-7988 today to get more information and book your professional installation.