Glass Inserts and Glass around Entry Doors, Why It's a Security Problem
In many homes, you will find glass panels or "sidelights" beside front
doors. These are popular because it allows daylight into the entry hall or
foyer, thus brightening the area during the daytime hours. Some homeowners also
choose entry doors with glass windows at the top for the same reason. The
problem is, class is easy to break, and doors with glass in them or sidelights
can be a home security problem.
Basically, a burglar can simply break the glass and reach through to unlock the
door from the inside. One thing you can look into, if your house was designed
this way, is to install two-sided deadbolts (deadbolts that need a key to open
from the inside as well as the outside). However, this can be dangerous for
homeowners in the event of a fire. You don't want to be fumbling for a key (or
trying to find it) if flames are licking at the ceiling.
The best answer is simply to avoid putting glass in or next to the door where it
could allow easy entrance into the house for a burglar. Another alternative is
to buy glass that can't be broken enough to stick it on through. One way to
achieve this is to use glass with embedded wire in it. Also, glass bricks are an
option. They allow light into the entryway without letting people look in. (Make
sure to put a peep hole in your door if you use glass bricks, so you can still
check to see who is on the stoop before opening it).
For doors with decorative glass inserts, make sure the opening is far enough
away from the deadbolt that a burglar could not reach in and unlock the door
from above.
Source: Better
Houses, Better Living: What To Look for When Buying, Building or
Remodeling