There is nothing more scary than the thought of your home being broken into. Most homes feature a sliding door on the back portion of the home. Unfortunately, this is one of the most vulnerable places of the home and an easy target for burglars. It is essential that you equip your home with some form of sliding door lock.
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Home invaders do not want to attract attention to their activities. Statistically, very few entries occur using entryways that can be visible by the street or neighbors. This really only leaves the back of the house as the optimum place to break into a home. This also makes the sliding door a vulnerable target.
As stated before, most burglars want to avoid attracting attention to themselves. This means that they are less apt to breaking glass because the sound can be heard over very long distances. Instead, they try to find doors with locks that are easy to pick. Some of these such locks are most commonly found on sliding doors.
Unfortunately, many sliding doors cannot be fitted with additional latches without damaging the doors. Because of the design of sliding doors, bolt locks, which are the most effective form of lock, are ineffective. You will have to choose another form or sliding door lock.
Without additional locking mechanisms, your back door is an easy target for even less experienced criminals. Many outdoor locks can be picked using simple tools that are readily available. That is why it is critical that you have some form of internal locking method that cannot be accessed from the outside.
One of the best things about getting a sliding door lock is that it is so inexpensive. Sure, there are fancy models that have pressure switches that activate loud, annoying alarms, but they are not necessary, especially for the price. There are budget ways to secure your home and give you peace of mind.
Most of the budget methods of securing your back sliding door can be purchased for less than $20. Some of them even include alarms while others are ideal for not only protecting your home, but also preventing young children from getting out of the home by accident. Some of the best solutions for protecting your home are:
- basic sliding window and door lock
- Locking bar or brace
- Spring loaded locks
Top Recommendations for Budget Sliding Door Locks
Sliding Window and Door Lock
For less than a dollar, you can provide sufficient locking power to your sliding door. This simple window and sliding door lock can be installed in a matter of seconds and provide enough stopping power to prevent the door from moving. Best yet, not drilling or tools are required, so you do not have to worry about damaging your property or losing money from a security deposit in rented property.
The way this lock works is by fitting the lock on the sliding rail of the door and turning the thumb screw until it is firmly locked in place. If you use two of these locks, you can securely lock the door in an open position by placing one lock on either side of the door. This is especially good if you want to keep the door open and are afraid that young children make use that opportunity to escape.
The locks can also be installed on the top or bottom of the window or sliding door. This type of sliding door lock is great for use in backing up other locks. It never hurts to have more than one locking device. From the inside, it is just as easy to remove as it is to install.
Locking Bar or Brace
Perhaps the most common form of sliding door lock is a locking bar, also known as a brace. These units usually cost between $10 and $20. They are usually made out of wood, aluminum, and steal, but they can be made of other materials.
The concept of the locking bar or brace is simple. The bar is placed in the track of the sliding door, which prevents it from being opened. Some models have adjustable lengths for different sized doors while others require that you measure your slide track before purchasing.
Some people do not like that they have to physically move the bar or don’t have a place to put the bar. One solution to this is the that one end of the bar attaches to the door on a pivot. All you would have to do is move the bar up and it stands there.
Another feature found on some bars is that are alarmed. They have buttons on one end and when a door is forced open, a loud alarm sound is emitted. However, if you are looking for a cheaper sliding door lock bar or brace, a broomstick or mop handle will work well.
Spring Loaded Locks
A spring loaded sliding door lock is one of the more expensive locking devices for a budget security measure. Most of them install at the top of a door out of the reach of children and hard to see by intruders and without drilling. However, installation may initially take a little more time and effort and some tools.
Some of these devices have multiple locking positions, so the door can usually be opened a few inches for ventilation. These devices cannot be adjusted or altered from the outside. This lock is ideal for locking doors against burglars or preventing small children leaving the home by accident.
To safeguard your home, it is important that you use some form of internal sliding door lock. There is nothing more frightening than having your home broken into or a child getting out without you being aware. Without these locking devices, your back sliding door is the most vulnerable entry point for thieves of any experience level. Your safety and security do not have to cost a lot of money, either. On a final, it never hurts to use a combination of these sliding door locks.
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