How to secure a sliding glass door

You adore your sliding glass door for the abundance of daylight it brings in and the easy access it offers to your backyard retreat. These entrances are valuable features for any Las Cruces property, but also come with security concerns. See why they’re targeted by burglars and what you should do to stop unauthorized entry.

Why sliding glass doors are frequent targets in Las Cruces

As attractive as sliding glass doors are to homeowners, they’re also attractive to thieves. There are a few straightforward reasons why. First and foremost, they are generally constructed more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locks are often easy to manipulate. They’re also placed at the rear of your Las Cruces house, giving intruders a better chance to approach unseen. 

How do intruders force entry through sliding doors?

When you have nice temperatures and sun-splashed days, your sliding door may be the most-used doorway in your home. You might fall into a routine of leaving it unlatched so kids can get to the yard on their own. Even when you lock your door, determined intruders can get around it. Here’s how:

• Manipulate the lock. Many sliding glass doors have basic locks that housebreakers can force open with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more likely to smash glass when they’re out of sight. Some sliding doors use thin glass that’s not hard to smash.
• Force the door from its track. Criminals may attempt to pry the door out of its track and pull it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they may slip through.

Even though it’s simple to circumvent sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Learn what your options are.

Better secure your Las Cruces home’s sliding glass door

If you want to improve the security of one of your Las Cruces property’s most vulnerable doors, here’s how you can do it.

• Implement surveillance cameras. When potential invaders notice cameras, they’ll most likely try to find an easier target. They won’t want to risk being recorded on camera. You can even find surveillance tools that actively discourage thieves with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Connect glass break and contact sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to enter or break the glass. Modern systems will even alert you with communications to your home security mobile app.
• Upgrade the lock. Replace or complement your basic flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular solutions and easy to secure. You can also choose a more robust, keyed deadbolt.
• Install a security bar. A security bar or brace is a time-tested solution that adds an additional layer to your defense. These are traditionally solid wood or metal supports placed inside the door’s bottom track. Make certain it’s measured properly for a secure fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Las Cruces from Vivint. We offer all the devices you need, from video cameras to window and door sensors. If a device activates, you and your 24-hour monitoring agents will be notified instantly. Call (575) 567-8689 today to find out more and schedule your professional installation.