How to Burglar-Proof Sliding Glass Doors

When your home has sliding glass doors, you may enjoy the experience of gazing out into your yard. However, with this amenity comes some loss of privacy as well as increased risk of burglary. Sliding glass doors are essentially large windows into your home, and they give burglars a front-row seat to view electronics, art, and other valuables.

Burglar-proofing sliding glass doors is an absolute must to help keep your family and possessions safe. Here are some tips to help you.

Eliminate landscaping near doors

Any shrubbery, trees, or large plants placed outside of glass doors is a potential hiding place for thieves. Ideally, you want to see outside easily in order to readily detect any suspicious movement outdoors. Call a landscaping service to help you revamp your outdoor foliage and remove or trim back overgrown plants. Then be sure to trim back branches regularly to keep your sliding glass doors completely free of potential hiding spots.

Consider a cover for your sliding glass doors

Window coverings can make a huge difference in preventing home invasions. If a burglar can see inside easily, they are more likely to try to gain entry.

Place curtains, draperies, or blinds over a sliding glass door to make it more difficult for a burglar to determine whether or not someone is inside your home. You can also use security film or tinting. Also, adding lighting outside a sliding glass door can be useful in deterring thieves. Floodlights or spotlights will illuminate the exterior of your home, making it riskier for a burglar to take the chance of being seen by a neighbor or someone walking or driving past your house.

Consider adding security features

Professional security features will also deter burglars. Consider making the following part of your home security plan:

• Add illumination to the exterior of your sliding glass doors to help brighten the area around them.

• Install a security alarm system or motion detection system in your home.

• Upgrade locking mechanisms throughout your home.

Contact a Brinks Home™ Senior Security Consultant for advice on the best options for protecting your home and family. They will evaluate your windows and doors, check for vulnerable areas, and give you a variety of options for making your home more secure.

Allison Clark is a senior writer for Brinks Home. She enjoys educating others on the benefits of smart home security and using technology to simplify everyday life.