Category: Sliding Door Lock

What You Need to Know About Sliding Door Locks

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Large glass sliding doors are a great addition to your home to let in more natural light, provide picturesque views of your yard and allow easy access to a porch or patio. As great as sliding doors are, though, they are also potential hazards in your home because they tend to attract thieves. The large glass panes and flimsy locks can easily be broken into.

If you have sliding doors, it’s best to invest in a high-quality sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA to keep your home safe. And no matter what kind of lock you have, there are a few ways you can make your doors even more secure.

The importance of having locks on your sliding doors

You might be thinking, “Why is it so important to lock my sliding doors?” Usually, these doors are on a balcony or porch in the backyard and hidden from view. This doesn’t mean a burglar won’t try to enter through them, though.

Locking your sliding door can protect you against theft, as long as the lock is strong. Sliding doors are very easy to open and are also extremely quiet, making them the perfect target for burglars or other wrongdoers.

Adding locks to sliding doors also helps protect children. These doors are easy for children to push open, even if they are too short to open a standard door. Locks can help prevent kids from getting outside and hurt on accident.

How sliding door locks work

Sliding doors open sideways along a wood or metal track at the top and bottom of the door. There are a few different types of sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA, but most are pretty flimsy when compared to standard door locks.

Most sliding doors have simple latches or clasps that lock the door in place by lightly latching it to the door frame. Unfortunately, these can often be jiggled open in no time.

Adding an extra lock, like a loop lock or cylinder lock, to the sliding door can help add strength to the security of your sliding glass door. These types of locks use a bolt that actually enters the door frame.

How to secure your sliding door locks

Here’s a closer look at some of the steps you can to take to secure your sliding doors:

  • Add security bars: These metal bars are placed in between the wall and one half of your sliding door to keep the door firmly locked in place. They are usually easy to put in and remove and don’t require permanent installation.
  • Upgrade the glass: Often, the glass on sliding doors is thin and easily shattered, making it an easy doorway for someone to quickly break and enter through. Upgrading your glass to shatter-resistant panes or adding a protective shatterproof film can help strengthen the glass against break-ins.
  • Replace broken tracks: If your sliding door’s tracks are warped, broken or old and flimsy, it’s time to replace them. Broken tracks can easily be manipulated to pop the door out and let someone into your home.

Is the lock on your sliding door flimsy or non-existent? Call Artie’s Lock And Key! We provide a variety of locksmith and lock installation services, including sliding door locks in Fairfax, VA.

Why Sliding Doors Are Appealing to Burglars

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Thieves’ favorite thing to see when they are looking to get into a house is sliding doors. An experienced burglar can break into a home in around a minute. Sliding doors can be a weakness in home security, usually because they are often left unsecured and aren’t easily reinforced to begin with. Here are some of the reasons sliding glass doors are so weak:

  • Simple latches: Some people don’t bother to lock or securely close their sliding doors. This makes them very attractive to burglars. And even if you do remember to lock them, most sliding doors have simple latches. Some burglars can easily get in, just by jiggling and jostling the lock. One way to fix this issue is to install a heavy-duty lock. Businesses like Artie’s Lock and Key can install a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA. This will stop a burglar from simply opening the door by jiggling it.
  • Not in view: Most sliding glass doors are concealed from prying eyes. This can be a problem if a burglar hopes to use it to get in. Their location means less of a chance for you or someone else to spot the suspicious person and call the police. Having an alarm on the door can quickly alert you if someone is trying to get in. It won’t replace a sliding door lock in Fairfax, VA, but it can scare away the burglar or give you enough time to call the cops.
  • Window into the home: While the sliding glass door can be a nice window to the outside, it’s also a window to the inside of your home. Any burglars can see what’s in your home, giving them an idea of what to quickly grab and get out with. Blinds, drapes or shades can block burglars’ view, stopping them from easily surveying your home for valuables. You can also use a privacy film that will obscure specific details. It will still let in light without requiring you to fiddle with blinds, while preventing anyone from the outside getting a good look inside your home.
  • Easily broken: Design-wise, sliding doors can be wonderful. They add a nice view and can brighten a room up. They also come with some weaknesses. They’re not nearly as sturdy or secure as a normal door. Anyone who really wants to get in can break the glass panels or push the door off the tracks. It can be something easy to pull off, especially compared to a wooden or steel door. Placing a wooden dowel in the track of a sliding door can provide a much-needed sense of security.

Protecting your home is an important part of being a homeowner. If you have a sliding glass door, that may mean calling Artie’s Lock and Key to install a sliding door lock. Our professional locksmiths in Fairfax, VA are up for any job and are more than happy to help you secure your home. We are fully equipped to make you feel safe inside your house. Give us a call to schedule an appointment for repair or installation.