Sliding doors and balcony doors: securing the doors Amsterdam burglars prefer
A sliding door lock is an extra lock fitted to a sliding or balcony door, usually a bolt into the frame or a lockable handle, because the standard catch on these doors can often be lifted or pushed open from outside.
The front door gets the attention: a good cylinder, a security plate, a chain. The balcony door at the back gets a flimsy catch and a flowerpot in front of it. Burglars know this. In Amsterdam many ground floor and first floor flats have a garden or a balcony that can be reached from a shed roof or a fence, so the back of the house is where they start.
Why these doors are easy
- Many sliding doors can be lifted out of their track from outside when the catch is the only thing holding them.
- A balcony door that is only pulled shut sits on the latch, and a latch gives way to a screwdriver in the gap.
- They are out of sight. Nobody on the street sees what happens at the back.
- They are often left on the tilt position for air, which is an open invitation.
What a sliding door lock does
A sliding door lock bolts the panel to the frame or the floor so it can neither slide nor be lifted. The simplest version is a lockable bolt at the bottom; a better one locks at the top and bottom. For a hinged balcony door the answer is a cylinder with anti snap protection and a lockable handle, so the door is bolted and the handle cannot be turned from outside through broken glass.
What to check today
- Close the door, lock it and push, pull and lift. If it moves in the track, it needs a bolt.
- Look at the gap between door and frame. If you can see the latch, it can be reached.
- Check whether the key turns easily and the handle locks. A handle that only clicks is not locked.
- Look at the route to the door: a shed roof, a bin or a fence that works as a ladder.
Repair first, then upgrade
A sliding door that does not close properly cannot be locked properly. Worn rollers, a bent track or a dropped panel are jobs for our lock repair service. Once the door closes well, the extra lock is fitted and the cylinder checked. The lock security page shows which combinations hold up.
What we do
Locksmith Amsterdam secures sliding doors, balcony doors and garden doors in one visit: extra bolts, lockable handles and anti snap cylinders, with the price confirmed before we start. Tell us on the phone what kind of door it is and we bring the right parts.
Frequently asked questions
Why do burglars prefer balcony doors?
They are out of sight, often weakly locked and reachable via sheds, fences and bins. A latch alone is opened in seconds.
What is a sliding door lock?
An extra bolt that fixes the sliding panel to the frame or the floor, so the door cannot slide or be lifted out of its track.
Is a tilted balcony door safe?
No. A tilted door is an open door for a burglar. Close and lock it when you leave.
Can my existing balcony door be made secure?
Usually yes. A lockable handle, an anti snap cylinder and, for sliding doors, extra bolts are fitted to the existing door.
Does Locksmith Amsterdam fit sliding door locks?
Yes. Call +31 (0)20 210 1986, describe the door and we fit the right lock in one visit, with the price confirmed before we start.
Is the back of your home weaker than the front? Call Locksmith Amsterdam on +31 (0)20 210 1986. We secure sliding and balcony doors in one visit and confirm the price before we start.
