As summer arrives, many of us look forward to spending more time outdoors and enjoying the fresh air from our patios. But with this seasonal shift comes an important reminder: home security should never take a vacation!
While offering easy access to our backyards and beautiful views, patio doors are also one of the most common entry points for intruders.
Is your patio door as secure as it should be? Here are some practical, effective tips to help you strengthen your patio door security. Get ready to enjoy peace of mind all summer long!
Patio Door Security Risks
While patio doors add beauty and natural light to your home, these same features can also make them appealing targets for burglars. Because patio doors are typically located at the back or side of a house (areas that are less visible from the street), they offer intruders a greater degree of privacy when attempting to break in. Large glass panels, designed to brighten your living space, can also be a vulnerability, as they are easier to break or force open than solid doors.
A common technique used by burglars is simply lifting the door off its track, especially if it lacks proper anti-lift devices. Additionally, older or poorly maintained locks are often compromised, allowing for quick and quiet entry.
How to Secure Patio Doors
If you're looking to improve patio door security, we recommend you begin by taking a closer look at your entryway's structural features.
High-Quality Locks
The first line of defense for any patio door is a robust locking system. Standard latches are often easy to bypass, so consider switching to a multi-point locking system. These locks secure the door at several points along the frame, making it much harder for someone to force the door open. New patio doors can also come equipped with advanced security features such as foot locks, "accu-vent" venting locks, and lock status sensors.
You could choose to take your protection a step further by having a sliding patio door security bar or rod installed in the track. This way, even if the lock itself is compromised, the door is unable to slide open from the outside.
Impact-Resistant Glass
As we touched on previously, the glass in patio doors is a common target for break-ins. To combat this, we recommend that you replace standard glass with laminated or tempered glass, which significantly increases resistance to shattering.
Laminated glass consists of two or more panes bonded with a tough interlayer, making it difficult to break through. Tempered glass is heat-treated for extra strength and, if broken, shatters into small, less dangerous pieces.
If replacing the glass isn't an option, you have another choice: applying a security film to your existing glass. The transparent layer holds the glass together if it's struck, slowing down intruders and buying you valuable time.
Reinforce the Door Frame
Metal or reinforced frames provide much greater resistance to forced entry compared to standard wooden frames.
When upgrading, be sure to have the frame properly installed and anchored to the surrounding structure. Otherwise, your patio door is at risk for prying or kicking attacks, both of which are common methods used to bypass weaker frames.
How to Deter Intruders with Patio Door Security
Another effective way to protect your patio door is by making it an unappealing target for intruders.
Install Motion-Activated Lighting
Proper lighting is a powerful deterrent against potential intruders. For instance, motion-activated lights startle would-be trespassers by suddenly illuminating the area, making it much harder for them to approach unnoticed.
Use Security Cameras
When intruders see cameras, they're far less likely to attempt a break-in, knowing their actions could be recorded and used as evidence. For best results, position cameras in clear view around your patio door and all other entryways.
Integrating these cameras with a complete home security system allows you to monitor activity in real time and receive alerts if suspicious movement is detected.
Reducing Visibility into Your Home
Keeping your home's interior out of sight is a simple yet effective way to discourage potential intruders. By limiting what outsiders can see, you make it harder for them to identify valuables or determine if anyone is home.
Install Window Treatments
Blinds, curtains, or shades are an easy, versatile solution for blocking unwanted views into your home. Choose options that allow you to adjust the level of privacy and natural light throughout the day.
For areas where you want constant privacy without sacrificing light, consider installing frosted or tinted glass. These alternatives obscure the view from outside while still letting sunlight in, making them ideal for patio doors as well as windows.
Landscaping for Privacy
Thoughtful landscaping can also help shield your home from prying eyes. Planting dense shrubs, hedges, or small trees around your patio creates a natural barrier that obstructs views from the street and neighboring properties. Alternatively, installing a privacy fence can provide immediate coverage.
On that note, be mindful not to create dense or overgrown areas that could serve as hiding spots for intruders. Keep plants trimmed and maintain clear sightlines to ensure your privacy measures don't compromise your home's security.
Patio Door Security Using Smart Devices
Modern technology offers powerful tools to help secure your home and patio more effectively than ever before. By integrating smart devices, you'll have the added benefit of greater control as well as convenience.
Smart Locks and Sensors
These devices allow you to lock or unlock doors remotely using your smartphone, so you never have to worry about forgetting to secure an entry point. Many smart locks also offer features like temporary access codes for guests and automatic locking after a set period.
In addition, smart sensors can be placed on patio doors to detect when they're opened or tampered with. If any unusual activity is detected, you'll receive instant alerts on your phone, enabling you to respond quickly, whether you're at home or away.
Connect to a Home Security System
For even greater patio door security, consider connecting your smart devices to a larger, professionally monitored system. Whenever an alarm is triggered (whether by a door sensor, motion detector, or glass break sensor), help can be dispatched immediately, even if you're unable to respond yourself.
Look for security systems that include specialized sensors (i.e., glass break detectors) that are particularly useful for patio doors. These sensors detect the unique sound of breaking glass and trigger an alarm, providing an extra safeguard against forced entry.
Patio Door Security Maintenance
Consistently checking your patio door security helps you spot (and address) any problems before they compromise your safety. Consistent maintenance also extends the lifespan of your investment, so you know you're always prepared for unexpected situations.
- Inspect Patio Door Locks: Check all patio door locks for wear, rust, or damage. Lubricate moving parts. Replace any locks that are not working properly.
- Test Smart Devices: Test smart locks and sensors on the patio door. Confirm they respond correctly and are connected to your home network.
- Check Outdoor Lighting: Inspect motion-activated lights near the patio door. Make sure they turn on as expected. Replace any bulbs that are not working.
- Maintain Security Cameras: Clean the lenses of security cameras monitoring the patio door. Adjust camera angles to cover all entry points. Verify that alerts are sent to your devices.
- Update Security Credentials: Change passwords and access codes for all smart devices linked to your patio door security system.
Safeguard Your Space with Hodges
We're here to help you protect what matters most. The pros at Hodges Windows and Doors make it easy with expert advice, quality solutions, and seamless installation.
Contact us today for a free consultation!
