Protecting your family and belongings is one of the biggest responsibilities you have as a homeowner. A burglary takes place every 13 seconds in the United States, and even if it doesn’t seem like it, it can happen to you too. Security systems and physical security enhancements greatly reduce the chances of a burglar trying to break into your home. Even if one were to approach your home, this presence of resistance is usually enough to dissuade their efforts.
One of the most vulnerable entry points for a burglar is through the patio doors of a home. Secure patio doors can deter or even prevent you from being the victim of a home invasion or burglary. Find out how Master Seal can help with home security in the Maryland area by calling 855.608.1580.
Patio Door Security
Sliding glass doors look great on a patio. They serve as a portal to the outside world – a way to let in the sights, sounds, and fresh air. Unfortunately, these doors aren’t always installed with the best security in mind and generally just have a small lock that latches the two doors together. This lock is easily bypassed and is generally only effective when you, the homeowner, lock your keys inside and need to get back in. Thankfully there are some steps you can take in improving the lockout capabilities of your sliding patio doors.
Sliding Door Security
When it comes to sliding glass doors, three improvements increase the security more than any other.
- Sliding door lock
- Security bar
- Security sensors
A sliding door lock functions like a vertical deadbolt. When placed where the two doors meet, it slides into the bottom or top of the frame to prevent the doors from being opened, providing maximum security. A security bar is adjustable in length and is placed between the side of the door and the frame and locked into place. This wedges the door in place and is impossible to access from the outside.
Sensors are another great way to increase the security of your patio doors. Magnetic contact sensors are usually used, and they detect when a door has been slid open. When the security system is armed, and this contact is disturbed, it triggers an alarm that causes the intruder to run more often than not.
Upgrade Glass
So, you upgraded and installed new locks on your sliding glass doors, and you’re pretty sure nobody can get in, right? Wrong—an unfortunate reality of sliding glass doors is that most of the door is made from glass. Now while a burglar may not be able to open the door from the outside, he can surely break out the glass and step right in. That is unless you install upgraded glass inserts into your secure patio doors. There are two main ways to strengthen the security of the glass on your patio doors.
- Built-in blinds
- Shatterproof glass
Built-in blinds are a great way to increase the overall privacy and security of your patio doors. It prevents any unwanted guests from seeing what you have in your home, and it serves as an added physical barrier between them and the inside. Shatterproof glass can either be installed during the original manufacturing of the door or achieved through the application of a transparent glass strengthening film. Both methods can be combined to strengthen the glass further, but one or the other is usually more than enough to deter the intruders.
Secure Your Home with Patio Doors from Master Seal
Master Seal has the experience needed to install secure patio doors to protect your home and your family. Contact us today at 855.608.1580, or contact us online for your free consultation and quote.
