Many homeowners make an all too common mistake when it comes to securing their home: Relying on the patio door locks that come equipped on standard sliding glass doors. While many people feel that their sliding doors are secure enough, it is mostly due to the fact that many of them are not aware of the fact that patio doors may be one of the easiest points of entry for an intruder.

Sliding Doors Are Secured By Latches, Not Locks

Among the many reasons that burglars favor sliding glass doors as their point of entry is the fact that the mechanisms that is holding them shut is not actually a lock. Rather, the pins that are holding the slider in place are simple latches. These small pins are responsible for stopping a very large door from being forced open, and unfortunately, they do not always live up to their expectations.

Pins that have been made with substandard craftsmanship or installed by an amateur can often become loose and fall out of their position. This greatly weakens the security, even if nothing seems amiss upon quick inspection.

Sliders Can Be Easily Lifted Off Of Their Tracks

Homeowners who fail to perform regular maintenance on their sliders face bigger problems than the occasional slider becoming stuck. Rollers that are in poor condition or are improperly fitted are the easiest doors for intruders to open, although their means may be much different than expected.

Sliders that are fitted with inadequate rollers can very easily be lifted from their tracks, even from the outside of the home. While some people may assume that placing a dowel into the tracks will prevent unwanted predators from entering their residence, it will only deter them from sliding the door open.

Special Patio Door Locks Should Be Used To Secure Sliders

Rather than relying on cheap and sometimes ineffective blocking devices, homeowners should consider having patio door locks installed on all of their sliding doors. There are many different types of patio door locks that can be installed as a DIY project or by a residential locksmith.

One way to secure your slider is to install track blockers that can be screwed into the tracks, which prevent sliders from being forced open horizontally. Foot operated patio locks work the same way, and they only require the push of a foot to engage and release the locking mechanism.

To prevent doors from being lifted off of their tracks, choose a lock that contains a pin that is inserted through both the slider and the frame. These locks are commonly placed at the top of the frame, which works well for some families due to the fact that they are out of the reach of small children.

Keyed patio door locks are also a great option for securing this otherwise vulnerable entryway. Keyed patio door locks allow the homeowner to gain access from the outside, which is not standard for most sliders. Having this type of lock may require the work of a residential locksmith, due to the more complex installation requirements.