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Tips for Your Home’s Patio Door Security
Everyone wants to feel safe and protected inside their home. There are available patio door safety and security features from Pella that can help bring you peace of mind.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Enhancing patio door security can be achieved through simple upgrades like motion-sensor lights, security bars and multipoint locks.
- Advanced hardware, such as the Pella secure vent lock, provides secondary locking points to help prevent forced entry while allowing for ventilation.
- A comprehensive home security system, combined with door-specific features, offers robust protection and helps deter potential intruders.
There is a reason that people believe the home is where the heart is. It is the place that shelters the ones you love and houses the personal possessions you hold most dear. Keeping them safe and protected is a top priority for any homeowner. Pella believes that you should feel comfortable and confident in your own home. Even when you are away, the security of your entrances should be the furthest thing from your mind.
From simple maintenance to advanced locking hardware, there are many ways to upgrade your home’s security, specifically your patio doors. Read on for a handful of suggestions on how to safeguard the entrances to your home.
5 Tips for Increasing Your Patio Door Security
The appeal of patio doors is no secret. They create a convenient point of access between your home and your backyard, deck or patio, serving as a bridge between indoor and outdoor living spaces. Because these doors often feature large panels of glass and are frequently located at the side or rear of a house, ensuring they are properly secured is essential.
Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to improve the security of your sliding or hinged patio doors.
Install Motion-Sensor Lights
Most potential intruders wait until the dark of night to try to gain entry into a home. To remove their cloak of darkness and expose them to the light, consider having motion-sensor lights installed above and around your patio doors.
LED motion-activated lights help deter potential break-ins by illuminating the area the moment movement is detected. Many solar-powered options are available on the market today that require no hardwiring, making this an easy DIY security upgrade.
Upgrade to Multipoint Locks
Standard locks are a good baseline, but advanced alternatives offer significantly more protection. For both hinged and sliding patio doors, consider a multipoint lock system.
It takes more force to break through a multipoint lock than a standard single-point lock. Unlike a traditional deadbolt, multipoint locks secure the door at multiple places along the frame, creating a tighter seal and reinforced security against forced entry.
Insert a Security Bar in Your Sliding Patio Doors
To help protect the first floor of your home, consider placing a patio door security bar (often called a "charley bar") along the track of the sliding panel. If the primary lock is ever compromised, this physical barrier blocks the door from sliding open. This provides a visible and effective secondary element of protection to deter burglars.
Utilize a Secure Vent Lock
For homeowners choosing vinyl sliding patio doors, such as Pella 250 Series, a secure vent lock is a powerful security addition. This hardware provides a secondary locking location that reinforces the door's strength.
The secure vent lock is designed to allow the door to be locked while closed, or locked while slightly open for ventilation—giving you the ability to enjoy fresh air without compromising the safety of your home. This dual-functionality provides peace of mind by preventing the door from being opened further from the outside.
Connect to a Home Security System
One of the most effective steps you can take is to integrate your patio doors into a professional home security system. Modern third-party providers can outfit your home with sensors that alert you the moment a door is opened or if the glass is tampered with.
A professionally monitored system allows you to keep an eye on your home from your smartphone. When coupled with Pella’s high-performance locking hardware, a home security system serves as a comprehensive solution to satisfy your safety needs.
While there are no absolute guarantees when it comes to home security, taking these extra precautions will help you sleep better at night and keep your mind at ease while you’re away.