That sliding glass door might look nice, but it’s really just a burglar’s welcome mat. Big glass screens and an easy-to-slide mechanism make them like a VIP pass for people who want to break in. Don’t worry, you don’t have to give up your house keys yet! This guide has 10 tried-and-true tips that will make your sliding doors say “stay out!” instead of “come on in!” We have everything you need to enhance sliding door safety, from easy fixes you can do yourself to high-tech gadgets. Are you ready to build a stronghold out of your sliding door?

How Do The Burglars Break In Through The Sliding Door? 

Before you can find a solution, it’s important to understand the problem first.

The problem is that sometimes there is a huge gap between the track and the door. All the burglar needs to do is lift the door up and push forward, and they can easily get this door to slide inwards, and there you have it; they can easily gain access to your house. You’re probably wondering how they’re going to get through and get this lifted. 

All they need to do is get a pry bar, jam it right underneath the door, pull up, and this door is already starting to lift. So what if a burglar doesn’t have a pry bar to use to lift that up? Well, they can get sophisticated and probably use a suction tool. Two of these can definitely lift this door upwards, so hopefully I got your attention and made you more aware. 

Burglars can find plenty of ways to break in if they’re determined to steal. So, where does the problem lie?

• The gap between the track and the sliding glass door. 
• The sliding glass door is itself vulnerable. 
• The locks of sliding doors are more like fashionable flimsy latches than adequate locks. 

Let’s figure out how to enhance sliding door safety. 

07 Tips to Burglar-Proof Your Sliding Glass Doors

Following are the best tips experts at the Door Repair Fort Lauderdale implemented for their clients that actually worked and enhanced the sliding glass door safety of them. You may consider them too. 

1. Replace the Door Lock

The easiest way you can prevent sliding door breaking is pretty much just locking your door. Don’t fully trust in fashionable pre-installed latches because they’re so vulnerable. With just a little effort and a slight tapping, you can pop them up. 

An invader or intruder can actually be on the outside, and if these latches are made up of metal, they use some type of strong earth magnet to wiggle them up very easily. So, you can see how easy it is to pop them up. 

That’s why you should replace your handle with a much stronger version. Look for a heavy-duty sliding door lock that is made of stronger metal and has a powerful locking system. Such lock system with a sturdy clamp can secure the door firmly.

2. Install a Dowel or Door Blocker

This is a very simple but effective tip. It’s just a regular dowel, or honestly, any stick that can fit through the track. You can even use a folding door blocker, but the cool thing is, you can adjust it to fit the space, even if you don’t have a dowel rod.

What’s great about this is that you can also use it to block a regular door with a knob. You simply take out the pin, remove the yoke, and take off the other side, and now you’ve got yourself a blocker for your sliding door.

3. Reduce the Gap

Reduce the gap at the top of your sliding door. This gap is one of the reasons burglars can lift the door right off its track.

To fix the gap, grab some screws—our team at sliding door repair Fort Lauderdale usually use about one-inch wood screws, but you can go up to an inch and a half. You’ll need two screws on each side, for a total of about six. Just screw them in along the rail, adjusting the height until the door stops lifting.

Test the door as you go, making sure there’s no more lift. You might need to tweak the screws just a bit, but once done, you’ll notice the gap is reduced and the door stays in place. Super simple fix and takes just a minute.

Bonus Tip:  Getting a dog is always a good idea—it doesn’t matter the size, big or small. Dogs are great at alerting you if someone’s near your door.

4. Install a Vibration Sensor Alarm

Here’s a cool tip for you. You might’ve seen people use this for windows—a vibration sensor alarm. If someone tries to mess with your window, this malicious boy will let you know with a loud alarm.

And the best part? It comes with a security sticker. You can stick it somewhere visible, so burglars can see that you’re not playing around—they might think twice before trying anything.

Setting it up is super easy. It takes two AAA batteries. Just find a spot for it. Set it at a place where you can see it. 

Now, the alarm? It’s LOUD. Over 120 decibels. Trust me, it’ll definitely get your attention. You can even adjust the volume with the plus sign if you want it even louder. It’s so loud, I think it nearly broke my eardrums!

5. Install A Patio Door Security Lock

This next product I want to show you is a patio door security lock. Now, you can install this on either the top or bottom rail. The way it works is pretty simple: you just press a button up to lock, and then you push a button to unlock it.  The design of these devices clamps onto the door and tracks, forming a physical barrier that hinders opening. Many of these locks also feature additional locking mechanisms, such as a deadbolt or sliding bolt, to provide an extra layer of security. 

Try to install it in a way that it should fit properly. There should not be the small gap between the areas. If it’s happening, you can’t install it this way, but here’s the trick: if you flip it, you can install. It works perfectly! So, this is the best way to get it all set up for enhancing the sliding door safety.

6. Use Window Film for Privacy and Security

Tip number six  is all about a one-sided window film. I’ve got it installed on my bedroom double doors, and it works amazingly. You install it from the inside. The best thing is that from the outside, you can’t see in. But from the inside, you can still see right through your glass door to the outside. It gives you privacy without blocking your view.

This can be a great way to discourage burglars, who might think twice before targeting a home with windows they can’t easily see through. Plus, it makes it harder for intruders to tell if anyone’s home, which could make them second-guess breaking in.

7. Install a Security Bar or Clamp

Now, the best tip is all about installing two security clamps. Now, this one is technically made for doors, but it works perfectly for sliding doors too. All you need to do is loosen it up and slide it as close to the sliding portion of the door as possible. Once it’s in place, just tighten it up, latch it, and boom—that door isn’t going anywhere.

For extra security, I’d recommend installing one at the top and one at the bottom. And if you ever need to remove it quickly, just loosen it up, and it’ll come off with ease—perfect for emergencies. Such bars add an extra layer of security, especially when used in conjunction with other measures like upgraded locks and alarms.

How Can You Create a Complete Sliding Door Security System?

By combining these 7 tips, you can create a solid, multi-layered security system that makes your sliding doors a lot harder for burglars to break into. Here’s a straightforward approach to begin:

To start, replace the door lock with something heavier-duty—look for one with reinforced metal and a stronger locking system. Next, add a dowel or door blocker in the track to physically block the door from sliding open. It’s a simple but effective trick. If there’s a gap at the bottom, reduce it by screwing a couple of wood screws into the track above the door to raise it a little. Easy fix. Then, consider adding a vibration sensor alarm. It’ll make a loud noise if someone tries messing with the door, so you’ll know right away. 

While you’re at it, upgrade the door handle to a more secure model, one that’s tougher to mess with. Another good move is to install a patio door security lock, which clamps onto the door and track for extra protection. For some added privacy, apply window film. It lets you see out but makes it hard for anyone to see in. And finally, install a security bar or clamp on the door track to stop it from sliding open altogether.

By combining these security measures, you’ll build a well-rounded, tough defense system that’ll make your sliding doors much less attractive to burglars. The goal is to make it as tricky and risky as possible for anyone trying to break in. If you’re feeling unsure about any of these steps, don’t worry—just give the experts at Door Repair Fort Lauderdale a call. They’ll help you get it all sorted!

Prioritize Your Home’s Security

Protecting your home and family should always be a top priority, and sliding glass doors can be a weak point if you’re not careful. Luckily, by following these 7 simple security tips, you can make those doors much harder for burglars to get through. Remember, home security isn’t something you can set and forget. Keep checking to enhance your sliding safety is still working, and stay updated on the latest tools and techniques to keep your home safe. Need help with your sliding glass door? At , reach out for a free consultation or give us a call today!