How to secure a sliding glass door

You cherish your sliding glass door for the plentiful sunlight it lets in and the convenient access it delivers to your backyard retreat. These entryways are beneficial elements of any Wausau home, but also present security concerns. Learn why they’re a target for burglars and what you should do to stop intrusions.

Why sliding glass doors are often targeted in Wausau

As appealing as sliding glass doors are to residents, they’re also tempting to burglars. There are a couple of straightforward reasons why. To begin with, they are generally constructed more for function than security. The majority don’t utilize deadbolts, and their locking systems are usually simple to manipulate. Prowlers also have a better chance of approaching unseen as the doors are located at the rear of your house. 

How do burglars circumvent sliding doors?

During warm temperatures and lovely days, your sliding glass door could be the most-utilized doorway at your home. You may a habit of leaving it open so your children can access the yard on their own accord. Even when you secure the door, determined intruders can bypass it. Here’s how:

• Pick the lock. A lot of sliding glass doors have non-keyed locks that burglars can circumvent with a common tool.
• Smash the glass. Thieves are more inclined to break glass when they’re out of sight. The thin glass of countless sliding doors is easy to smash.
• Remove the door from its track. Criminals might try to pop the door out of its track and move it away from the frame with a crowbar or another device so they can slip through.

Despite the fact that it’s simple to bypass sliding glass doors, it’s also not hard to boost your security. Learn how you can do so.

Better protect your Wausau home’s sliding glass door

If you’re eager to improve the security of one of your Wausau property’s most susceptible entry points, here’s how you can.

• Incorporate video cameras. When prospective invaders notice cameras, they’ll probably find a less protected target. They won’t want to be recorded on camera. You can even find video cameras that actively scare off prowlers with audible and visual warnings.
• Integrate entrypoint sensors. Install contact and glass break sensors within your whole-home security system. The alarm will go off if an unwanted guest tries to enter or shatter the window. You’ll also get an update through your security system’s smartphone app.
• Upgrade the lock. Reinforce your standard flip lock with a sliding glass door deadbolt. Foot bolt locks are popular add-ons and easy to use. You can also incorporate a more robust, key-operated deadbolt.
• Install a reinforcement bar. A door brace is a simple method that brings one more layer to your protection. These are typically solid wood reinforcements fitted inside the bottom door track. Ensure it’s sized properly for a secure fit.

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

Better safeguard your sliding glass door and all the entryways in your home with a fully connected smart home in Wausau from Vivint. We provide all the equipment you need, from door and window sensors to video cameras. If anything trips, you and your round-the-clock monitoring experts will be alerted right away. Call (715) 662-6232 today to find out more and book your professional installation.