Sliding glass doors are well known for their ability to fill a room with light and warmth, but when it comes to security they have quite a dubious reputation because of to their vulnerability. The locks on sliding glass doors are often weak and can easily manipulated with some force. Also the pane glass commonly used in these doors can be shattered without big efforts. In some cases the entire door can even be removed from its own tracks. Thankfully there are precaution steps you can take to improve the security of your sliding glass doors.
Track Lock Solution
Sliding glass doors often have subpar latches that can easily be broken with force. To address this issue a good solution is to install an additional lock in the track which will help prevent unauthorized entry. A hole must be drilled in the moving part of the door and the additional lock bolt should be installed in it. Although this may seem like a simple operation to ensure that the process is carried out correctly we recommend on calling a certified locksmith to do the work.
Install a Security Bar
Security bars offer a great solution for homeowners who are hesitant to replace their locks or to install an additional lock on their sliding doors. These bars fit into the door track that becomes visible when the door is closed and preventing any forced entry. The durability and effectiveness of these bars depend on the material they are made and there are adjustable metal dedicated bars that can extremely upgrade your sliding door safety.
Durable Glass Options
The glass used in your sliding doors can also pose a vulnerability. Pane or wire reinforced glass is generally more durable compared to the single pane type that is commonly used. If you’re mostly worried about the door’s glass it might be cheaper to buy new doors with reinforced glass already in them instead of just replacing the glass in your current doors.
Prevent Door Removal
Burglars might try to take your sliding doors off their tracks in order to break in. To reduce this risk keep the doors in good shape by cleaning the rollers and tightening all screws. Another good idea is to put selftapping screws in the track because these screws let the door move but stop it from being lifted out.
