Common Sliding Glass Door Weaknesses and How to Secure Them

Using a sliding glass door is convenient and draws in a lot of natural light. But sliding doors can also introduce unique security risks – are you prepared? Sliding glass door security should be a part of any self-protection plan at your house or apartment. Whether your sliding door leads to a deck, patio, or balcony, these types of entrances have some common risks. Here are three of the typical weaknesses associated with sliding glass doors and how you can combat them using clever fixes: 

Easy Breaking for Fast Access

The bottom line is that the glass in any door is the most vulnerable part of the entrance. You can have a top of the line lock on the door, but what if a thief shows up with a glass cutter or throws a brick through the door? Try applying glass protection film to the door’s panes to prevent an easy break-in. 

You may also want to consider a window glass break alarm, which will send out an audible alert if and when someone breaks your sliding glass door. The harder you can make it for someone to break the glass on your sliding door, the harder it will be for someone to gain unauthorized access. 

Insecure Locks for Quick Jimmying

Some sliding glass doors also have simple locks by default that are easy to force open, break, or manipulate. Upgrading your sliding glass door lock will be a fast change that makes a big difference for your home security. You have a few options when it comes to adding additional protection. You can swap out the simple latch for a sturdier pin lock that screws into the base of the door; these locks can’t be bypassed by jiggling the door. 

A sliding door loop lock is also a good reinforcement for your regular locking mechanism. This secondary lock will confuse a would-be burglar who thinks they have gained entry by breaking the primary door lock. You should also place a wooden dowel or security bar on the door’s sliding track so the door can’t be forced open. 

Too Much Transparency for Easy Snooping

The same thing you love about your sliding glass door – that it gives you an excellent view of the outdoors and allows natural light into your home – is something that could make your home a target. A thief who can peer into your property through a sliding door will take a fast inventory of your valuables and decide if you’re a good target. You can stave off this risk by using quality curtains over your sliding door and closing them when you’re not at home. 

Track shades are a smart option because they cover the entire pane. You may also want to consider a privacy film that allows some light in but obscures the view of your house from the other side of the glass. 

Having a large window in the back of your house is appealing for a lot of reasons, and sliding doors are convenient in summer months when you’re frequently going between the yard and the indoors. But don’t let sliding door security fall off your radar! Protecting this type of entrance only takes a few minutes and could mean the difference between being an easy target and sending a burglar running. At The Home Security Superstore, we have the best locks for sale and a huge array of home alarm systems for sale. Contact us today if you still have questions about our affordable DIY sliding door security measures.