Create A Safer Home With A Simple Sliding Glass Door Upgrade

Sliding glass doors have become staples in homes because they allow unrestricted natural light and help bring the outdoors in. But these home staples aren't just beloved by homeowners; burglars are big fans of them too. Why? Because, alongside letting in tons of light, they also let burglars see your possessions — and they're relatively easy to break. Sure, you could install an impact-resistant sliding glass door, but at around $2,000, they are not the most affordable option. Instead, create a safer home with a simple yet smart solution to secure sliding doors: applying shatter-resistant window film to them.

Let's be clear: shatter-resistant window film will not stop glass sliding doors from breaking if they're hit hard enough. But it will keep the glass intact longer, thanks to the multiple polyester film sheets glued together to create the flexible film. This characteristic makes your doors more difficult to shatter, which can deter burglars from continuing the break-in and potentially give you time to call for help.

Shatter-resistant window film also has some sneaky secondary benefits, like cutting down on UV rays and adding privacy to your home. It all comes down to the thickness of the film you choose. Learning about the different film strengths is the key to choosing the right one.

Applying shatter-resistant film to make your home safer starts with finding the right product. Shatter-resistant window films span from 4 mils (a.k.a., roughly one thousandth of an inch) to 15 or more in thickness. As a general rule, the thicker the film, the more secure it is. Plus, thicker films tend to be more opaque, which is an added benefit if you want additional privacy. 4 mils provides basic protection to home sliding glass doors, but you can go higher if you like. If your doors are under warranty, check the details to make sure applying film won't void it, though.

Applying the shatter-resistant window film is fairly straightforward. The secret is to do it on a cloudy day or when the sun isn't shining on the glass sliding door. This will help to ensure the adhesive dries evenly. Then check the glass for cracks or other damage. If the glass is already in poor condition, the film may not work as well. Read the instructions to see if they recommend applying to the inside or outside of the door, then clean and dry that side thoroughly.

Now you can apply the film. Instructions may vary depending on the product, but generally have you cut the film to size, spray the glass with water, then apply it with a squeegee. Finally, cut off any excess film and let the glue do its work. The curing time differs by product, but will likely take around a week for the initial cure, and a month to fully adhere.