Keeping a copy of all your important paperwork safe in one place is a great way to ensure that you have access to things like proofs of purchases, insurance policies, and even wills. But keeping paperwork in a desk drawer or under the bed is not the safest plan – what if a fire breaks out or someone infiltrates your home and steals all the important stuff? Consider hiring a locksmith to install a fireproof floor safe in a closet of your home or in the basement where all of your important paperwork and investments can be kept. You’ll have instant access to it all when you need it, and it will be safe from theft and destruction when you don’t. You might be surprised at how many ways a locksmith can help keep your property at home safe. Explore the pages here for more information!
Sliding glass doors are a great accent for any patio space. They're also practical, because they create a wide opening in the doorway, which can be beneficial when you are hosting an event or a gathering. Additionally, sliding glass doors have large panels of glass, which are great for allowing lots of natural light. If you're considering this type of door for your home, it's important that you have a plan in place to keep it secure. Here are a few tips to help you protect your home's security with sliding glass doors.
Make Sure The Doors are Properly Installed
If you're installing new sliding glass doors, they need to be placed in the proper direction. The stationary door should be positioned on the outer track. That keeps the moving part of the door on the inside, so it isn't accessible to people who are outside the house. If you buy a home that already has sliding glass doors installed the wrong way, you should turn them around. You should be able to move the locking screw in the track and lift the sliding door out, then remove the screws securing the stationary door. Switch the doors around and secure them properly.
Add a Barrel Lock for More Security
Barrel locks make a great addition to sliding doors. The bolt on the barrel lock will prevent the door from opening past the bolt's location. Install the barrel lock before you put the door in the track. Mount the foundation of the barrel lock to the lower part of the sliding door, then drill a hole in the door frame so that it's even with the bolt. When you want to lock the door, just slide the bolt down into the hole. The bolts used for these locks are usually hardened steel, making them strong and durable.
Limit Movement With Track Screws
Sliding glass doors are made to be able to lift out of the track easily. This makes them a target for would-be intruders. To prevent the door from lifting out of the track, install screws in the upper track to fill some of that gap. By installing screws with a screw head protruding halfway into the gap, you'll prevent the door from lifting far enough to come out of the track. All you have to do is open the door and remove the screw to remove the door in the future. Opt for a pan head screw when possible, because the large diameter of the head reduces the risk of damaging the screw over time.
As you can see, there's no reason to give up your home's security to install sliding glass doors on your patio. Talk with a locksmith like Irvine Lock & Key about these options and more ways to protect your new sliding doors.
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