Photo: Kirk Fisher (Shutterstock)
Sliding glass doors are known for being an easy access point for burglars—the latches on these doors are often small and not particularly sturdy, which can make it a real security concern. But there are some simple and effective ways you can make a sliding glass door safer and harder to break into.
Use a track lock
One method of preventing the door panel from being opened on a sliding glass door is to block the tracks so the door can’t slide open. There are a variety of sliding door track locks that use a bolt to keep the door from being opened by attaching to the track of the door. These can be helpful if you want to leave the door a little bit ajar for air circulation because they can be placed anywhere along the track. The downside of this type of lock is that you need to adjust it either at floor height or at the top of the door frame, and they can make it more cumbersome to lock and unlock the door.
Use a door bar
Another method to keep the sliding portion of the door from opening is to use a door bar that attaches to the door frame and the edge of the sliding door to keep it closed. This method will keep the door from being opened at all once it’s in place. Most door bar kits come with all the hardware you need to install them and can be self-installed with a screwdriver in a few minutes. The downside to this method, of courses, is that there will be a large bar that needs to be removed and replaced each time you want to lock or unlock the door.
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Use security film
To prevent a potential burglar from simply breaking the glass to get in, consider security film. Security film is a self-adhesive film that attaches to the glass of the door and keeps the glass from shattering if it’s impacted. (It also adds a layer of safety to your door in case of accidental breakage.) Security film also comes in heat reduction, mirrored, and tinted varieties, in addition to clear, so it can do double duty. The downside to security film is that it might make your view slightly distorted, even with the clear variety.
Get a better lock
Improving the quality of the lock on your sliding door is always an option, and most locks can be installed with a drill and a screwdriver in a few minutes. A loop lock is a good choice because it’s stronger than the latch most doors come with from the factory and works simply enough that it’s not inconvenient to use. A loop lock screws into the door frame on one side and the edge of the door on the other, and has a bolt that latches the two sides together to prevent the door from moving.
Use an alarm
An alarm can be added to your sliding door to notify you of any activity. Some alarms are simple noise-making devices that will alert you or your neighbors of an intruder, while others are smart-technology equipped and will communicate with your cell phone or other device. You can also get a glass alarm that will alert you if the glass is impacted.
