How to Install a Concealed Contact Alarm for a Sliding Door

Lift the bottom of the sliding door up and off the rail in which it is riding. Place the sliding door on the floor, with the bottom edge facing you.

Wipe the bottom edge of the sliding door with a water-moistened paper towel to remove loose dirt and contaminants. Dry it with a dry paper towel. Repeat this procedure inside the railing.

Mount a sensor plate to the bottom right edge of the sliding door, using wood screws and a Phillips screwdriver.

Place the sensor receiving plate on the inside edge of the interior side railing, at the extreme right side. Draw a dot through each of the two holes in the sensor receiving plate onto the railing with a pencil. Remove the sensor receiving plate from inside the railing.

Drill a hole through each of the dots with a portable drill. Place the sensor receiving plate inside the railing with the two holes in the plate lined up with the two holes in the railing. Screw metal screws into the hole using an electric screwdriver.

Place the top of the sliding door back into the railing at the top of the frame. Angle the sliding door so that you can place the bottom back into the railing on the floor. Close the sliding door.

Run the wires from the sensor receiving plate to the side of the sliding door where they can be attached to a wireless transmitter or clandestinely run through the walls to the alarm system's control panel.