Security with sliding glass 'pocket' doors

[VApeople]

This is our first house with sliding glass pocket doors going out to our lanai. Can we trust the standard lock to provide security or should we install something better?

In our previous house, we had a sliding glass door and we added a 'charley bar' for extra security. I don't see how that would work with a pocket door.

What have you all done about this? Thanks for your replies.

[menthol01]

Security bars won't work. Not long enough to reach to first panel. We were going to put in a 'safe slider' lock but we read about the glass potentially breaking, made us a little nervous. So we went old school.. We cut a pvc pipe, put rubber caps on the ends, and we have a little added protection.

[wisbad1]

I got some white 1 by 2 boards at homedepot, cut lengths to fit in jams. works perfect .

[villagetinker]

Do a search on this topic, I have posted specific instructions for stopping lifting the doors out of the tracks. I have also installed that additional lock, and posted the caution about possibly breaking the glass. If you have additional questions, send me a PM with your email address, and I will send you detailed info.

[villager]

The sheriff department will do a complimentary walk through for your house and offer suggestions. Why not go to the pros and ask your question?

[spring_chicken]

The sheriff department will do a complimentary walk through for your house and offer suggestions. Why not go to the pros and ask your question?

Because many "pros" will blow smoke up your arse because they want to sell you something.
What's wrong with asking people who have the same doors what they did?

[villagetinker]

I had the police do a review of our house, they were impressed with what I had done, but actually spotted 2-3 other things we could do. I found the review very helpful.

[TheDude]

I had the police do a review of our house, they were impressed with what I had done, but actually spotted 2-3 other things we could do. I found the review very helpful.

What were they? Interested...

[baustgen]

We use a large caribener to clip over both door handles. It will not stop someone from lifting off the tracks. It is cheap, easy to install, and doesn't take a lot of storage space.

[villagetinker]

Originally Posted by villagetinker View Post

I had the police do a review of our house, they were impressed with what I had done, but actually spotted 2-3 other things we could do. I found the review very helpful.

What were they? Interested...

What were they? Interested...

As I recall, I did not have the reinforced door lock plate (it is about 18 inches long, and uses 2 inch or longer screws), a peep hole in the door to the garage, a way to switch on the garage lights from inside the house without opening the door, and the burglar brace for the front door.

[villager]

Because many "pros" will blow smoke up your arse because they want to sell you something.
What's wrong with asking people who have the same doors what they did?

The "pros' I was referring to were the sheriff department. They know what works and doesn't when it comes to locks, etc.

[HoosierPa]

How about a security system that sets off exterior sirens when someone enters the house and sends you a message to your smart phone.

[VApeople]

How about a security system that sets off exterior sirens when someone enters the house and sends you a message to your smart phone.

That would not work for me. I am one of the privileged elite who does not carry a phone.

[UpNorth]

Before leaving, we just chain our two door handles together and secure them with a combination padlock. Can't open the doors by pulling them apart.

[Ad poster]

This is our first house with sliding glass pocket doors going out to our lanai. Can we trust the standard lock to provide security or should we install something better?

In our previous house, we had a sliding glass door and we added a 'charley bar' for extra security. I don't see how that would work with a pocket door.

What have you all done about this? Thanks for your replies.

Check out our new Advertiser, The Burglar Bar...
Email: info@theburglarbar.com

I know they are working on getting the website up and running!

[VApeople]

Thanks for all of your replies but I don't think I explained our problem very well. I said we have sliding glass "pocket doors" going out to our lanai, but I probably should have described them as "stacking sliding glass doors'. The opening onto our lanai is 12 feet and we have four 3 foot sliding glass doors. If we push the left door all the way to the right, it engages the other doors, so we eventually have all four doors stacked together and the entire 12 foot space is open onto our lanai.

Since these types of doors are pretty common in TV, I thought someone would have a good idea how to provide better security against burglars or nosy alligators. Thanks for your help.

[Carl in Tampa]

Thanks for all of your replies but I don't think I explained our problem very well. I said we have sliding glass "pocket doors" going out to our lanai, but I probably should have described them as "stacking sliding glass doors'. The opening onto our lanai is 12 feet and we have four 3 foot sliding glass doors. If we push the left door all the way to the right, it engages the other doors, so we eventually have all four doors stacked together and the entire 12 foot space is open onto our lanai.

Since these types of doors are pretty common in TV, I thought someone would have a good idea how to provide better security against burglars or nosy alligators. Thanks for your help.

That explains a lot. All you have to do is secure the first panel. The others will not move unless the first panel moves first.

Perhaps not the most elegant appearing, but an effective solution, is installation of a hasp and staple on the first panel, which is then secured with a padlock. You have to use a very short hasp. Install it on the door jamb with very long (perhaps 3") screws into the framing that supports the door.

Be careful when drilling the screw holes in the door panel for the staple portion. You don't want to hit the glass.

The hasp does not lie flat as in the photo, below. It forms a 90 degree angle when engaging the staple.

Note that, like all door locks, it is still possible to break in (as it is for other doors in your house,) but it may be that the burglar will look for an easier target when he discovers your security on the sliding glass door.

[dmorhome]

I slide a small piece of wood on top of each slider to stop them from being lifted up.