Sliding glass doors are known to be an easy entry point for burglars. The latches on these doors are often small and not very sturdy, which can make them a real security problem. But there are some simple and effective ways to make a sliding glass door more secure and difficult to break into.

One way to prevent the door panel of a sliding door from opening is to block the track so that the door cannot slide open. There are several sliding door track locks that use a latch to prevent the door from opening by attaching it to the track of the door. These can be useful if you want to leave the door slightly ajar for air circulation, as they can be placed anywhere along the track. The downside to this type of lock is that you have to adjust it at floor level or at the top of the door frame, and they can make it more difficult to lock and unlock the door.

Another method to prevent the sliding portion of the door from opening is to use a door rod that attaches to the door frame and the edge of the sliding door to hold it closed. This method prevents the door from opening all the way once it is in place. Most door rod kits come with all the necessary hardware to install them and can be installed by yourself in a few minutes with a screwdriver. The downside to this method, of course, is that there is a large rod that needs to be removed and replaced every time you want to lock or unlock the door.

To prevent a would-be burglar from breaking the glass to get inside, consider security film. Security film is a self-adhesive film that attaches to the glass of your door and prevents the glass from shattering if it is struck. (It also adds a layer of safety to your door in case of accidental breakage.) Security film also comes in heat-reducing, mirrored, and tinted varieties, as well as clear, so it can serve a dual purpose. The downside to security film is that it can distort your view somewhat, even with the clear variety.