Sliding glass doors or French doors can be a stylish element in any home, as well as providing convenient access to the backyard, which is great for letting in fresh air on warm days. But this large glass surface can also pose security risks in your home, not being as secure as a typical wood or plastic door. So, how can you make sure that your glass doors are secure, keeping your home and family safe and sound?

Locks for your sliding doors

It’s important to keep your sliding glass doors locked when you’re not using them, especially if you’re out of the house or in bed for the night. Fitting strong, secure locks should be a priority. There is a good range of locks to choose from for your sliding doors, including ones specifically designed for this type of door.

Double bolt locks are a strong option, or you could opt for a security bar. It’s also a good idea to have multiple locking points, such as bolts at the top and bottom of the door as well as the main lock at the center of the door. If your glass doors open at more than one point, then make sure that each point is secured.

Sliding door hinges

Your door’s hinges can also be a weak point if not chosen or fitted correctly. Hinges can be exposed on outward-opening doors, meaning that someone could potentially remove the pins and take the door off its tracks. Security hinges can help to prevent this problem. Make sure your hinges are properly fitted and have long screws.

Alarms for your sliding doors

A secure lock can prevent burglars from opening your door the normal way, but what if they try to break through the glass? Opting for strengthened, double-glazed glass will make this harder to achieve, so they’re more likely to draw attention to themselves before they manage to break in. But if it does happen, fitting a glass break sensor or detector to your doors can alert you to someone trying to break in.

Glass break sensors trigger an alarm when the glass is shattered, or some can even detect impact against the glass before it breaks. This alarm will act as a deterrent and will alert you if you’re home, allowing you to call the police. Or, with a monitored home security system, the authorities can be notified even if you’re not home.

For equipment, installation services, and professional security monitoring that will make your North Carolina home a more secure place, contact Carolina Alarm and let us know your home security needs.