Patio Door Security

Listen to this!!! Over 60% of homes that are broken into are done so from patio doors, and 30% of these doors require no force at all. Incredible but true.
Of course this is an alarming percentage but there are different security measures you can take to reduce your chances of being burglarized. Normally these measures can be applied with little time and effort.
In most cases the default security device included by the manufacturer is not enough. Actually most security measures are quite simple to force or break, so you'll need additional stronger and more visible locks.

One of the first and most commonly used locks for sliding doors is a bar also known as "charley bars", such as the one on the picture. A security bar will prevent burglars from sliding the door across the track to gain entry. When buying a bar for your door we suggest choosing one that is easy to install, visible and can withstand over 1,000 pounds per square inch of force. Why a visible bar? To put it in simple terms, if a burglar sees the bar that alone can deter him/her from proceeding.
Secure Glass
Another method that is widely used as an added security measure is the glass type. There are 3 major types of glasses toughened (tempered) laminated, and wired.
%u2022 Tempered glass can be 4 to 5 times harder to break than regular glass. One of the biggest advantages of using this type of glass is the fact that after being toughened it cannot be cut.
%u2022 Laminated glass is basically glass panes interleaved with plastic panes making the glass a lot harder. For laminated glass the main advantage is that it is practically impossible to penetrate even when broken.
%u2022 Wired glass is made with two layers of glass with a welded wire mesh between it. Wired glass isn't any tougher to break but it will hold the glass pieces together when broken.
Each of these types of glasses can dramatically improve the security in you patio door. And each can run for only double the price of regular glass. It's a worthwhile investment for anyone looking to protect their home.
Tracks
Some patio doors aren't broken or forced; they can also be lifted off the tracks to allow easy access to your home without making a noise. To prevent this from happening, drive a screw into the top of the upper track to keep burglars from lifting the doors to gain an entry.

Good lighting can add to your patio door security measures. A well illuminated home is a great deterrent for would be robbers. Let's start with the interior lighting. Make sure to have automatic timers in place, by doing so you can give the appearance that you are at home when absent. Timers can run anywhere from $10 to $30 for a reasonable quality. To add further enhancements, you might want to set your tv and radio to work on timers as well, by doing so you'll give the appearance that your home is occupied at the time. When setting up timers you need to make sure to set them up on an alternate option to ensure that you do not show a pattern in your lighting schedule.
Exterior lighting, when choosing exterior lights make sure they can illuminate over 100 ft radius at the very least. Also make sure to light up every corner of your home's exterior, including bushes and plants which in most cases can be a burglar's favorite hiding place. As an added measure you can also add motion and heat sensors, if you're looking to save money on you electric bill.
So there you have it, very simple and easy techniques to apply add even more security not only to your patio door but also to your entire home.

Patio door locks, they can be a very efficient to secure our homes, depending on what type of door you have, we can use a different lock. Here are 6 different types of locks to consider.

1. CRL Spring Loaded Patio Door Lock was designed to effectively secure and childproof sliding patio doors in homes and balcony sliders in apartments and condos. The Patio Door Guardian will not fit patio doors with the sliding door on the outside.

2. Safety 1st High sliding Door Child Lock, The High Sliding Door Child Lock is a child proofing lock that prevents children from opening patio doors and escaping to the patio or balcony. It installs at the top on the side edge of most patio doors and prevents the sliding door from opening more than 4 inches. This provides ventilation but stops the child. It can be operated from either side of the door and can be mounted on the left or right side. It also disengages for periods of non-use. Green/Red locking indicator. Minimalistic design blends in.

3. The CRL Keyed "Mitey-Lok" Patio Door Lock, features a case hardened steel bolt with push button locking. This patio door lock unlocks only with a key making it childproof as well as preventing prying or lifting of door.

4. STB Sliding Glass Patio Door Lock, Internal, raised Button, This Internal Lock features a stamped aluminum housing with the front surface mounted steel hook, raised button and lever latch. The latch lever has a black plastic tip.

5. Cr Laurence Mortise Lock for Sliding Glass Patio Doors, this mortise Lock has a 3/4 inch (19 millimeter) wide steel housing. The hook projection is adjustable and the keyway is in a 45 degree position with the hook fully extended. The lock has a round end face plate.

6. Hampton Sliding Patio doors Lock, this ingenious device will give you the security of knowing your home is protected. It is so easy to use you won't know how you lived without it. With only the touch of your foot the Patio Door Lock goes from locked to unlocked. This is a simple effective way to protect your home from intruders. Features include: Easy to use! Simply operate with your foot, gives peace of mind to you and your family and it is fabricated with sturdy metal and mounting hardware included.

These are the most widely used in homes, offices, etc. These patio door locks range between $ 20 and $ 125, and you can get them at any hardware store or any specialized home improvement store.