How would you replace glass if you came home to this.....twice!?

Tracey Rylander
by Tracey Rylander
My house has been broken into for the second time. They gained entrance by breaking the patio door glass. It's the only natural light the kitchen gets, but I need to find an alternative (and more secure) to plain glass.
I'm about to hang a key on the door with a note "here's a key, please don't break glass. I can't afford to replace it a third time!"
  29 answers
  • Jessica Lynn Jessica Lynn on Aug 14, 2017

    what about something like this? You'd probably have to do the side windows too. if the main window doesn't break, they could easily do the side and reach in.


    http://www.hammerglass.com/property/windows-doors/


    you might also want to purchase an ADT sign or two. Post one in the window so thieves think your place is monitored.

    • See 1 previous
    • Bettye Jo Hickman Martin Bettye Jo Hickman Martin on Aug 14, 2017

      I use a local company for monitoring, which is very inexpensive (compared to nationally advertised ones) after you have your house wired or equipped with wireless sensors. I just pay about $25 a month for monitoring which you have to have no matter what company you choose to install; but, shop around for monitoring. The prices really vary a lot.


      p.s. Monitoring is essential. A dog is great for alerting you, but if you are not home...the dog cannot call the police for you. The monitoring service will.

  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Aug 14, 2017

    I think a really good security system and a very large dog is in order. How can you live being broken into ?????and more than once ?? HOLY MOLY ! I'd be freaking out !!!

    • See 1 previous
    • Paula Paula on Aug 14, 2017

      You could hire a dog walker or have a neighbor check on your house/them. Dogs are the best thief deterrent

  • Melanie Czoka Melanie Czoka on Aug 14, 2017

    The Nest security system. Make sure that they can see it from outside. I'd be so mad, if I were you.

  • You may need to forego the natural light in lieu of a more secure door. And a security system too. I feel so bad for you, be safe!

  • Emerald Greenmountain Emerald Greenmountain on Aug 14, 2017

    SMH...Are you allowed to installed burgular security iron bars on the whole door.. A welder will custom make it. Be safe.

  • Kathy Kathy on Aug 14, 2017

    i think above it all, you have a wonderful sense of humour re the key!

  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Aug 14, 2017

    Back doors are the way to get in unnoticed, make sure if you get a security system that includes a camera for the back door. Make sure the back door is labeled for the security system. We have a dog door that a lot of people would be able to get through as two of our four dogs are 100 pounds and larger. We have a female chow, they are sweetheart family dogs, but not so much with strangers. My daughter tried to get into the dog door one night when we had her daughter overnight due to sitter problem. She would not let her in until she used her name and she recognized her voice. She is the one that has the run of the house at night. They are very silent and don't announce there presence until they are right next to a person and then give only a low growl. They also will get between you and a stranger until they know they are ok. They are very good judge of character. People have given them a bad reputation because they would make them mean to use them for security, but they really are great dogs and family dogs, they are laid back and don't play a whole lot, but they are forever on security detail, especially if there are kids. They are very tolerant of toddler antics of pulling tails, etc. and my kids even took naps on them when they were young and would stay put until they woke up. Males are more stubborn and sometimes you think you need to use a 2x4 to get them to obey, but they are all extremely smart. That is why we recommend females. Small dogs are called ankle biters for a reason, most of them don't hesitate to bite where they can reach(ankles) and they would be one to bark at anything at the door to give notice that they are there and guarding the house. The only draw back to small dogs is that a swift kick will send them running to safety of a hiding place. Hope this helps!

  • Christine Dawson Christine Dawson on Aug 14, 2017

    How about something like this

  • Marlene McCraw Marlene McCraw on Aug 14, 2017

    Lexan is similar to plexiglass, it is supposed to be unbreakable. It is available at some Lowes home improvement stores. It is fairly expensive, another alternative is security glass that has a wire mesh, it isn't too attractive but you can get a clear decorative film to hide the mesh.

    Hope it helps give you another option. Security cameras are dirt cheap, Amazon has one I bought for $23, it can be monitored from your phone, it has sound and motion alerts, also has a speaker where you can communicate that you have contacted the police. Works great, and It records also, you only need wifi and a power outlet, easy to set up, and gives you a sense of being in control when you can see who the intruder is.

    Generally when there is more than one breakin a home in the same way, it is the same person doing it.

    Good Luck

  • Barbara H Carnes Barbara H Carnes on Aug 14, 2017

    Consider hurricane resistant door , window glass.

  • William William on Aug 14, 2017

    I would replace the door with a more secure door with an eyebrow window. Install cameras and an alarm system. The side lights and eyebrow window would still give some natural light. Also beef up the locks, long screws in the hinges and strike plates.

  • Julie Julie on Aug 14, 2017

    Thankfully no one was hurt when this happened! We live in a rural area and our neighbors are at a distance leaving our home to be taken advantage of. Owning a dog is more than we want at this time. Here's my suggestion: Plexi glass is a little harder to break but scratches easily so it's not so family friendly so to speak. A security alarm/signs/cameras on doors and windows will help whether it's monitored or not. Noise is a deterrent and alerts those neighbors at distance. If this was my home as much as l like the light coming in I'd replace it with a solid door and replace the side lights with glass block of some type. Here's a Pinterest idea.......https://www.pinterest.com/pin/139259813451782454/. In the meantime have you heard of a dog barking sensor driveway alarm was created? May check that out. Also, have you thought of using WiFi timers for lights and a radio? We have those and I love them! I have control from about anywhere or can set them on a schedule. We switch things up like parking differently or do outside activity while the garage door is closed, etc and have had neighbors say, "I didn't think you were home today until I actually seen you outside." Now I have them guessing, LOL! Stay alert, stay safe!

  • B. Enne B. Enne on Aug 14, 2017

    I agree with the bars, as long as they can't access the lock with a coat hanger, if they break through them.

    • Tracey Rylander Tracey Rylander on Aug 14, 2017

      I have replaced the latch type dead bolt with one that requires a key so that shouldn't be a problem. I thought about the bars and building a guiateen.....if movement is detected by a sensor, well, they will be leaving with one less hand!!

  • Sharon Sharon on Aug 14, 2017

    I had a glass office door that got busted and I had Tap Plastic put in an unbreakable plexiglass in the door. I chose a textured design but still got light through the door.

    I would definitely install a WIFI camera linked to your cell phone so you can catch these dirtbags.

  • Barbara Knott Speidel Barbara Knott Speidel on Aug 14, 2017

    I agree with Christine Dawson. There are some beautiful security doors you can see them online......Low's and Home Depot have them, too. So sorry to read you have had two robberies plus the broken glass. Good luck with your search. Kudos!


    Suggestion: I would remove the door with the broken glass and save the door for a special project. You already have the the cut rectangle in the door. If you have a Habitat For Humanity store near you, they always have some beautiful doors that people and contractors donate for resale.....and they are not expensive.....and lots of styles at our HFH store near me. If you go for a solid door with no outside door covering, make sure you install a lock with a deadbolt and make sure you use a metal plate to protect the holes for the regular lock and the deadbolt lock (it goes around the holes).

  • Des6698269 Des6698269 on Aug 14, 2017

    Nail a heavier screen to the back of the glass area! They do sell them at home improvement stores. Also, put a security light by the entrance, it will keep them off your property! I have security lights on each side of my house. I never had a problem. Cops told me I will never have a break in cause "would be thieves" won't like a house with security lights on every side.

    • Tracey Rylander Tracey Rylander on Aug 15, 2017

      Ironically, the one and only street light is next to my driveway and lights up my whole property! However, the last thing they would suspect would be an additional motion sensor light to greet them!

  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Aug 14, 2017

    then a home security system is in order. One day you may come home to this invasion in progress...and all the money in the world won't help you. Very scary !

    How about security bars on that door? You have to do something different since the same thing has only gotten you the same results. I am afraid for you !!!

  • Diana Deiley Diana Deiley on Aug 14, 2017

    I'm sorry for your heartache. It's such a violation of privacy. A huge pit bull would work! Seriously though, I'd consider a steel door with a side light along with a security system. You can always interior lighting for that area. A licensed electrician can provide solutions and assistance with your needs. Best of luck. Stay safe my friend.

  • Annalisa Annalisa on Aug 14, 2017

    I'm sure it was the same person who did it the first time. Probably a neighborhood drug addict who couldn't believe you put the glass back up. Get a camera installed so we can see his face when he comes back a third time and he sees your new (hopefully not glass) door

  • Itsmemic Itsmemic on Aug 14, 2017

    You can buy security signs on line..also fake security cameras you can mount on the house with a blinking lite on it. PLEASE be careful. This is no joke..next time you may not be so lucky and you just might find someone IN your home.


  • Donza3D Donza3D on Aug 15, 2017

    Get "security film" installed. It's not a cheap fix but is certainly less than fixing doors and getting robbed. It's a clear, uv protecting (added bonus) film that gets bonded to the glass and the frame. You can't tell you have it on your glass and the ads used to show hitting a window with a thrown bowling ball and it held the window together. We had it put on all our windows in FL rather than hurricane shutters. Might be possible to get insurance credits for having it. Someone tried to kick in one of our back windows and it held everything together and kept them out.


    Must be professionally installed and sealed but short of them driving a car thru it - it'll hold (and will really piss them off LOL) ! Good luck

  • Dfm Dfm on Aug 15, 2017

    i grew up in the worst neighborhood in my city....pedophile at the end of the block, drug runner / murderer next door. chop shop for auto parts behind us. dirty cop at end of block- know who your neighbors are....and watch each others places. some would say get a dog...but the dog let the robbers thru the yard... the cats? yowled so loud the robbers turned tail. i keep certain lights on at all times. i've come home and a few had been turned off- cop came by and evicted the kids playing "house". if some one is determined to get in- they will.


    for insurance purposes take pictures of your place and your possessions. keep them off site ie in your office at work, the cloud etc. have copies of insurance policy's, car policy included. birth certificates other personal identifiers in case your wallet goes out with the thief. you need to prove that you are you.


    go with the steel door, and the glass outer door.

  • Sue Rine Sue Rine on Aug 15, 2017

    Lexan is the cheapest & most secure for the $$. The security system is a great idea if you can afford it. Your insurance company might have some ideas for you, and they should pay for the damage. If not your community or state probably has a victim assistance fund where you could be reimbursed for the cost of the repairs, even the past event.

  • ArnoldSteven ArnoldSteven on Apr 01, 2021

    I feel so sorry for this disaster, I can imagine how upset you've been when came to this. Our neighbors had 3 boys, they broke my window twice! Of course their parents paid for everything, but still it takes time to wait until the window is replaced, you have to stay home, you have to clean the room, and so on. https://www.1800doorbell.com/entrance-alerts/ I am pretty sure you can find good ideas for your door on this website. Try to find inspiration on practical websites, if you look on pinterest and tumblr you will buy a glass door again, it is more instagramable!

  • Brad Campbell Brad Campbell on Apr 20, 2022

    That looks really bad considering it is the second time it happened, I've noticed that this usually happen to glass doors that can easily be broken, I really suggest using reliable security glass door. My doors were made by Riot Glass, they create customized glass door and is safe for forced entry and has ballistic protection.

  • Marion Nesbitt Marion Nesbitt on Apr 21, 2022

    Security cameras and system. Post signs.

  • Tracey Rylander Tracey Rylander on Apr 21, 2022

    Thank y'all for your suggestions. I now travel for a living so it makes this even more of an issue. I am looking into each one of these.