Sliding glass doors offer good ventilation and an open view of your patio or backyard. As stunning as they are, however, they can present significant security challenges that you shouldn’t ignore. That’s why selecting a top-quality lock system is vital. So, can you put a smart lock on a sliding glass door?
One of the best and most convenient ways to secure a sliding glass door is to install a smart lock. Smart locks eliminate the need for traditional keys by enabling you to operate sliding doors using an app on your smartphone, a remote fob, or a control panel in the home.
Sliding glass doors are primary targets for home invaders because their locking mechanism is overly simplistic, and some people often leave them unlocked. The good news is that there are several measures you can take to better protect your home. Let’s take a closer look at the options.
Is There a Smart Lock for Sliding Doors?
Smart locks can help keep your home safe from burglars, and there are several options available for sliding glass doors.
Smart locks allow keyless entry, usually through a remote fob, keypad, or fingerprint. The lock connects to your home WiFi, enabling you to access it via a smartphone app or a control panel within your home. It can also connect to your phone and key fob via Bluetooth.
When you command the app to lock or unlock the door, it sends the instruction to the smart lock, which responds by doing so.
The following are a couple of the best smart locks for sliding glass doors:
Autoslide AS01BC
The Autoslide AS01BC (on Amazon) is a smart lock for your sliding glass door that eliminates the need to manually open and close the door. With this lock, you can add automation to your sliding door.
It uses an infrared device or a motion sensor for automation capability. The lock also comes with a two-year warranty.
You can even install a pet version of this smart lock if you have pets. It comes with a radio frequency identification tag which you put on your pet’s body to help the door sense your pet from a distance and open automatically.
Installing this smart lock system is pretty simple, and you can do it by following the instructions on the DVD that comes with the lock.
Port Smart Lock Tower
With the Port Smart Lock’s Tower line, you can customize your lock to your door’s specifications. It’s available in two colors and has a keypad with a card sensor. It also comes with a backup key and an emergency power supply via USB.
Although this is an expensive smart lock option, you can’t really put a price on your home’s security.
It connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and WiFi, where you can manage it through their app, which is compatible with both iOS and Android devices. You can also integrate it with Google Home.
Moreover, Port Smart Lock has an alarm that notifies you if someone is trying to break in and an activity log for people who’ve entered.
Lockey 2500
If you’re looking for something a bit less complicated, the Lockey 2500 (on Amazon) is an excellent keyless lock for sliding glass doors. You can only use one code, however, so you’ll have to share it with the rest of the household.
Additionally, it comes with two backup keys just in case you forget the code. Like most Lockey products, it has a lifetime warranty.
How Can You Make Your Sliding Glass Door More Secure?
Here are some ways to make your sliding glass door more secure and protect your home from potential burglars:
Install Impact-Resistant Sliding Glass Doors
You can install impact-resistant or hurricane sliding glass doors designed to handle heavy objects’ impact. Therefore, thieves will find it much harder to break into your house.
Install Glass-Break Detectors or Door Sensors
If you have a glass-break detector (on Amazon), an alarm goes off if it detects the sound of breaking glass. Similarly, a door sensor sounds an alarm if a burglar tries to pry the door open. Both systems are great deterrents for potential intruders.
Maintain the Track Regularly
Inspect the door track regularly to ensure it’s debris-free and that the door can open and close smoothly. Anything that hinders the door from working properly could turn out to be your door’s Achilles heel and expose it to potential intruders.
Install a Better Lock
If your sliding glass door has the basic latching mechanism, consider replacing it with a keyed lock. Alternatively, you can install a lock designed to secure the sliding door to the jamb.
Install Security Bar in the Track
Installing a security bar (on Amazon) in the door track of your sliding glass door is one of the easiest measures you can take to make it more secure. A tiny piece of wood or rod is all you need.
Close the door and fit the bar inside the track. This way, intruders won’t be able to open the door from outside by pulling the door.