People love sliding glass doors because not only do they look beautiful and stylish, but they also provide an aesthetic connection between the outdoors and the room. Otherwise, one can’t fully enjoy the fresh, soft wave of air and plentiful natural light inside the room.
However, this appealing arrangement has some drawbacks, such as the difficulty in securing sliding glass doors, whether it’s to prevent children from going out or to protect your home from intruders.
Attention…
I said difficult, not impossible.
In this article, I’ve mentioned some proven and effective ways to secure outside-track sliding glass doors.
So stay tuned and keep reading.
Table of Contents
How To Secure Sliding Door On Outside Track?
First, it’s important to understand that securing the outside track is not as straightforward as blocking an indoor track with a stick readily available on the market. It requires some tricky DIY work.
Here are some steps to secure a sliding glass door located on the outside track:
1. Keep The Door Locked When Not Necessary
If the room accessed by the sliding glass door is not in use, it’s advisable to keep the door locked. Since glass doors are transparent, they can attract the attention of intruders who may get a glimpse of your belongings from outside.
This is particularly important if the sliding glass door leads to your home’s backyard, as intruders could easily flee after stealing.
Tips: Enhance the security of your outside track sliding glass door by installing an additional lock system.
Also Read: How To Lock A Sliding Glass Door From Outside[Easiest Ways]
2. Proper Maintainance
If you notice that your sliding glass door is starting to stick, it’s essential to remove any dust and debris from the slider. Follow these simple steps:
- If possible, pull the door out. An installed door can be challenging to clean thoroughly. However, you can clean its inside and outside sliding tracks without removing the door completely. Hold the door from both sides and gently pull it out from its track using a screwdriver.
- Once the door is removed or partially pulled out, inspect the tracks for any debris. Use a vacuum cleaner to remove dirt, sand, leaves, and pet hair from all corners of the sliding track.
Clean oil particles by using a mild hot water and soap solution. After cleaning, dry the track thoroughly with a cotton cloth and use a dryer to remove excess water vapor.
3. Replace Outdated Rusted Components
Over time, components of the sliding glass door may wear out. Thoroughly inspect the latch, handle, and lock system. If they are not in good condition, replace them with new ones.
While this may require some DIY work, seek the assistance of an expert if needed. If you decide to do it yourself, proceed with patience and care.
Also Read: Larson Vs Andersen Storm Door[Don’t Make Mistake]
4. Use A Dowel Stick To Secure Your Outside Track Sliding Glass Door
A dowel stick is adjustable in length to fit the track of your sliding glass door. It can be used both inside and outside. Place it between the door handle and the door frame when the door is locked.
For inside assembly, simply place it on the track of your sliding glass door by adjusting the length as needed. If placed on the outside track, position it at a height from the track to prevent movement of the door handles.
5. Lubricate Your Sliding Glass Door Track For Smooth Movement
Nobody wants a harsh and crushing noise coming from their sliding glass door whenever they open and close it.
To ensure a smooth sliding experience, lubricate the track of your sliding glass door. Here’s how:
- Clean the track using the method mentioned above.
- Apply a lubricant to the track. WD40, containing mineral oil and spirit, is recommended.
- Alternatively, spray a light mineral oil on the surface of the track and move the sliding door back and forth to spread it evenly. You can also apply petroleum jelly to the outside track using your finger or a brush.
- You can also apply petroleum jelly to the outside track using your finger or a brush.
6. Tricky Approach To Secure Your Outdoor Track Sliding Door
I’ve mentioned a very simple trick here. You can use a sticker of any kind of alarming device just outside of the sliding door. This may act as a deterrent to intruders, as it appears to be a real alarming device.
Summary
The priority is to secure your home from any inconvenience. While these tips and tricks may be effective for some, they may not work for others. However, they provide a rough idea of how to secure outside track sliding glass doors using common home tools.
