But don’t let this scare you, as there are many ways you can improve the security of your sliding glass door and make it more secure to deter would-be intruders.

Use tracker blocks

Sliding screen door rollers open and close horizontally on both the upper and lower tracks. Naturally, one of the simplest ways to increase the security of your sliding door rollers is to put an obstacle, such as a tracker block, in the track to prevent movement.

You can make the tracker block by cutting a wooden broom handle down to size to fit the bottom track. This is a quick and easy way, and while it’s not secure proof, it definitely adds a level of security and prevention you didn’t have before. Also, it’s worth noting that this is nice to have for toddlers and the elderly, preventing them from opening the door.

Reinforce the glass

Your sliding glass door is made up of large sheets of glass. For a would-be burglar, this presents a nice, easy break-in (provided you haven’t reinforced the glass).

Simply applying security film to the inside of the glass can really improve the strength of the glass sliding door. This film makes it super tough to break through the glass. It can also protect against kids playing ball sports close to the window and prevent broken glass from an errant ball toss/kick.

You can buy rolls of security film for between $10 and $30 per roll, depending on the type, brand, and size. Though not difficult, successfully applying security film to a sliding door is a tedious task and we suggest that this be a two-person job, as it’s almost impossible to do on your own. We might suggest you consider looking to outsource this to a pro. AirTasker anybody?

Add a secondary lock

Locking your sliding door might be an obvious solution, but more often than not, the reality is that your sliding glass door won’t have a deadbolt. In most cases, it will use a simple latch that is clamped onto the door. To give your locks more power, we suggest installing a steel secondary lock system such as a deadbolt.

To install it, you can either contact a handy person or do this yourself. If you want to roll up your sleeves, here’s what you need to do: drill the screws holes into both door jambs and the sliding frame door. Then simply screw the loop lock into place.

Floor mounting

To stop burglars from lifting your sliding glass door out of the track, you have the option of mounting the sliding door to the floor. This can be done by simply installing a heavy-duty floor latch that hooks onto the bottom of the door that you can easily attach/detach using your foot.

Install alarms & sensors

Sometimes the most effective way to stop unwanted intruders is to deter them, and nothing deters burglars more than an alarm blaring in their ears. You can install door sensors that will go off once they detect the sliding door being smashed or someone trying to pry it open. You can also install additional home security cameras for maximum security and to record the intruder.

Close the blinds/curtains

Another simple yet effective way to deter burglars is to close your blinds or curtains before leaving. An open view of your entire living room allows the intruder to easily scope your home and identify any valuables they can steal. With an obstructed view, the burglar won’t be able to see your valuables and will think twice before going to the effort of breaking in.

How to Secure Patio Doors: Advice from the Experts

Did you know that experienced burglars can break into your home in under a minute? If you do not have the right security measures in place, your home won’t be properly protected and your home’s security could be at risk. Patio doors are often left unsecured and this can make them a security risk.

Patio doors are a wonderful way to provide access and stunning views to your patio or garden. Not only do patio doors provide easy access to the outdoors, but they also let in plenty of natural light throughout the year. Making the right decisions regarding your sliding door locks can ensure your home security is not compromised.

Double Glazing and Sliding Patio Door Security

The quality of your patio door glass has the potential to make or break the security of your home. Single glazed glass is an easy access point for burglars, who can smash it to create an opening large enough to get through. However, modern developments in glass mean that sliding doors no longer have to be a security scare.

If you are having patio doors installed in your home, double glazing can provide significant security benefits. Double glazed sliding glass doors are tough, making it much harder to break the glass by force. For extra security, some people choose to install toughened glass as this is extremely hard to break and cannot be easily smashed in the way that single glazed glass can.

Install High Quality Sliding Door Frames

To achieve secure patio doors, it is important that the frames are made from high quality material. Just like glass, there are some frame types that are tougher than others. Strong frames are much harder to break through than weaker materials. What’s more, quality frames are more resistant to damage and will provide superior levels of security for your home.

Here at South Coast Home Improvements, we sell patio doors that are made from the highest quality UPVC. Easy to maintain, durable, and secure, UPVC doesn’t just increase your home security, it also looks great all year round.

Hang Curtains to Protect Your Privacy

Full-length interior curtains can make a surprising difference in your home security. While curtains don’t provide much of a physical barrier to deter intruders, they can stop thieves from looking into your home and deciding whether there is anything worth breaking in for. Generally, if burglars can’t see something they want to steal, they might decide that it’s not worth the trouble of breaking in.

Always Lock Your Doors

While this advice may be self-explanatory, almost one third of burglaries do not require forced entry because doors are left unlocked. That is a shocking statistic and one that should scare you into locking your doors every night. As a general rule, if you are not using the door, even if you’re at home, it is best to keep it locked.

If you are unfortunate enough to be a victim of a home burglary where there is no sign of forced entry, it’s likely your home insurers won’t pay out if they suspect you didn’t lock your doors.

Have a 3-Point Door Locking System

The best solution to good patio door security is to have a 3-point locking system. This ensures that your doors are substantially more secure than they would otherwise be. Our experts advise that the best solution is to have top and bottom dead-bolts on both doors.

Fit Secure Door Hinges

As we mentioned above, some patio doors open outwards and this can expose the hinges. Sometimes, the pins in hinges can be easily removed so it is important to fit secure hinges that cannot be interfered with in this way. Security hinges are the best way to prevent intruders from taking the hinges off and removing the entire door to gain access into your home.

Fit Anti-Lift Devices

Anti-lift devices are a keyless locking system that significantly improve the security of your home in minutes. Using anti-lift devices in patio doors is one of the best ways to prevent doors being lifted from their tracks and removed. At South Coast Home Improvements, we are proud to say that all of our patio doors are installed with anti-lift devices on all opening sections.

Extra Security Locks for Patio Doors

Even if you lock your patio doors at the end of each day, this may not make much of a difference if the latches are very simple. Patio doors are only as secure as their locks and upgrading the latches can help keep your home safe. As South Coast Home Improvements, we install doors that are fitted with the latest patio door locks and the most high-quality latches. So, you can enjoy doors that don’t just look great but that also lock securely.

Speak to the Experts

A lot of the security issues with patio doors can be found in older models that have not been updated. As experts in the industry, we also find many threats to security occur when you do not assess your own situation for any potential weaknesses.

If you’re unsure how secure your patio doors are and whether they need replacing, speak to our experts. We would be more than happy to answer your questions and advise you on your next steps.

The Secure Patio Doors We Sell and Install

If you want to install high quality patio doors that are long-lasting, durable, and secure, look no further than South Coast Home Improvements. We are proud to supply and install the highest quality UPVC double glazed patio doors to our customers. Security is one of our top priorities and we have a range of secure styles to choose from. We install the following patio door styles:

Bi-fold Doors: our bi-fold doors offer the maximum amount of space by sliding back against the outer frame, providing almost a full opening. These aesthetically pleasing UPVC doors are also manufactured with your home security in mind. A safe and secure design, our bi-fold doors are extremely popular.

French Doors: an ideal alternative to patio doors, our double glazed French doors add a touch of class to any home. With all the benefits of single casement doors, our double glazed French doors are double the width and are a popular choice.

Call Us Today to Find Out More

If you would like to find out more about installing patio doors to increase home security, get in touch today. We would be more than happy to answer your questions and advise you on the best patio doors for your property. If you buy patio doors from us, we will provide the following guarantees:

• 10-year guarantee
• A rating sealed units
• 2, 3 and 4 panes
• Opening sections fitted with anti-lift devices

Call us today to find out more about our patio doors and how they can improve your home security!

5 Tips To Keep Your Patio Door Safe From Burglars

Sliding patio doors are undoubtedly a wonderful aesthetic touch to any home. They provide lots of natural light in the house while providing a great view of the outdoors. But the aesthetic perks come with one major setback – home security. Sliding doors are a prime access point for burglars. Tossing a brick right through the glass, lifting the sliding door off its track, and bypassing the latch, most factory-installed patio doors are a break-in incident waiting to happen.

Securing a Patio Door

As a homeowner, it’s worth taking the necessary steps to secure sliding patio doors from intruders. Here are some expert tips on securing patio doors without sacrificing aesthetics.

Shatterproof Film

Smashing a glass door is as easy as hurling a brick at it. A shatterproof window film solves this weakness by preventing the patio door from completely falling apart. It may not wholly deter unwelcome visitors, but it slows them down. Window films have privacy properties (they’re only transparent one way) and UV ray protection.

Blocking Bars for Patio Doors

Factory-installed patio glass doors typically have a latch as the only form of security. While this works in keeping the door closed and in place, it does little to protect the home from invaders.

Instead, consider installing a bar as an extra layer of physical security. The blocking bar slides into the patio door’s bottom track. Some people may prefer a Charlie bar installed at waist level, which swings in and out of place as needed.

Deadbolt Lock

The latch on a sliding glass door is not very secure. To reinforce it, get a deadbolt lock that provides a higher level of security. There are tons of options in the market, so it’s best to hire a quality door contractor who can recommend the most secure option and ensure proper installation.

Install a Security System

It’s advisable to get a home security system installed and monitored by a qualified professional. This system may include glass break sensors (entry sensors), an alarm, and a security camera. The idea is to deter burglars (Intruders don’t want to be caught) and help homeowners respond swiftly by alerting the authorities.

Consider a Security Pin

A simple yet effective tip to bolster a sliding glass door’s security is installing a security pin. A hardened steel pin that holds the sliding and stationary doors together—preventing burglars from gaining easy access by removing the door off its track.

Windows By Toll

Home security is a top priority for most homeowners. Patio doors are a vulnerable access point that should be secured. For top-quality products and excellent  patio door installation services, contact Windows By Toll. Call 203-580-9945 to speak with one of our experts.