Feeling safe and secure in your home shouldn’t come at the expense of your house’s visual appeal—and with security screens, it doesn’t have to.
Unlike unsightly steel bars and thick grates, security screens aren’t an eyesore on your otherwise beautiful property. They won’t obstruct your scenic view or disrupt the clean exterior design of your home. Instead, they’re made of woven stainless steel mesh that both keeps out intruders and lets in the sunlight and airflow.
In other words, you can feel safe without feeling suffocated.
With modern security screens on doors and windows, you have a better way to protect the weakest areas of your home, while maintaining the standard functions of a traditional screen door—that means keeping even the tiniest intruders out: those pesky flies and mosquitoes.
If you’re ready to enjoy the peace of mind that comes with effective home security, it’s time to seriously consider security screens for your home. If you’re interested in learning more, this guide will cover:
- Safety Screens vs Security Screens
- Benefits of Security Screens
- Common Types of Security Screens
Safety Screens vs Security Screens
The words “safety” and “security” seem interchangeable in our everyday speech, but there’s a significant difference between the two when it comes to the door and house window screens.
But how do you know which is better? When both your safety and security are at stake, the specifics of each type become increasingly important:
- Safety Screens – Generally speaking, these will keep you safe from creepy crawlies and not much more. You can open your windows to enjoy a warm summer breeze without spending the next 20 minutes swatting at mosquitoes. They might make your home appear more secure, but they’re penetrable with only minimal effort from intruders.
- Security Screens – Security screens, on the other hand, are a significant barrier to entry that dramatically reduces the possibility of break-ins. They have a similar look to safety screens, but their heavy-duty design can secure your external entry points from a lot more than just insects.
Only you can decide what level of security you need for your home. Some homeowners might even settle on a combination of the two, opting for security screens on higher-risk windows and doors, with safety screens on second-floor windows, for example.
Benefits of Security Screens
There’s nothing more important than feeling secure inside your own home. It’s your shelter, your sanctuary, your safe space—or at least it should be.
With security screens, you and your loved ones can enjoy that peace of mind.
But as a homeowner, you still have to weigh the value-added with the price of installation. We’ll walk you through the full range of benefits so you can make an informed decision.
Protection From Intruders
Burglars don’t just strike at random. They tend to research neighborhoods so they can target the home with the least protection. So what do they do when they see an elaborate alarm system or heavy-duty security screens? They move on to the next house. With an extra layer of protection, you can stop an intrusion before it happens.
But it’s not just a visual deterrent. If someone were to attempt a break-in, the security screen would seriously impede their entry. This mesh, transparent fabrics are part of an advanced system with woven threads of steel and are screwed directly into the screen’s metal frame.
The final result is a staggeringly strong barrier against forced entry.
Pest Control
Sealing off your home from invasive insects is no easy feat. Some homeowners refuse to open their windows altogether for fear of pesky bugs. But that means they never get to fully enjoy those sublime summer nights or a cool breeze on a stiflingly hot day.
Naturally, you want to keep out the critters. But sealing your door isn’t the only option.
Security screens are specially designed to protect your home from unwelcome guests of all shapes and sizes, including the smallest, but most annoying, creatures of all:
- Houseflies
- Birds
- Mice
- Rats
- Horseflies
- Cockroaches
- Centipedes
- Crickets
A security screen door is effective because it relies on a metallic frame that creates a magnetic seal. This airtight frame keeps bugs out, while the thin mesh insert allows you to let fresh air in.
Optimal Visibility
The major drawback of traditional security measures, such as metal grates on doors and windows, is the obstructed view. Modern improvements in the world of security screens are bringing back the views, without sacrificing a shred of functionality.
Here are the two leading visibility options to review when shopping for security screens:
- Limited Vision Mesh – This one-way vision mesh screen provides an added layer of privacy and the upper hand for you as a homeowner. They often utilize perforated sheets of aluminum to provide visibility from your side, without being seen by whoever’s outside your home.
- Two-Way Mesh – This is perhaps the most frequently used mesh for most household windows and doors. The two-way mesh allows for fairly seamless visibility both into and out of the home.
Increased Airflow
Who doesn’t enjoy the fresh air and a cool breeze now and again? Adequate ventilation can do wonders for your home and your health. Unfortunately, it can be more of a hassle than it’s worth when that cool breeze brings a whole swarm of insects with it.
With security screens, homeowners can start to enjoy one without the other.
Marine-Grade Steel for Best Airflow
Any material, even the finely woven mesh used in security screens, will restrict some airflow, especially when compared to a wide-open window or door. But not all security screen meshes are created equal. Marine-grade stainless steel is especially effective for maintaining airflow without sacrificing protection.
Pet-Resistant Properties
We’ve already established that security screens are an effective method in keeping critters out, but how exactly do they hold up against the creatures you’re trying to keep in? We’re talking about your four-legged furry friends, who may or may not have a penchant for scratching anything they can get their claws on—literally.
Luckily, there have been ongoing technical advancements in mesh structures, including the application of vinyl-coated polyesters, that make them increasingly scratch-proof. With that, you can preserve the integrity of your security screens for many years to come.
Energy Savings
Despite the name, security screens are about more than just home protection. They come with the added benefit of saving energy and money. Solar window screens, specifically, are a unique subset of security screens that reduce the amount of sunlight streaming through your windows.
Especially effective in sunny climates, they better maintain your home’s cool temperature even during the scorching summer months. You’ll finally be able to give your air conditioning unit a much-needed break, which can lower your utility bills by up to 33%.
Child Safety Protections
Children, naturally curious as they are, can be drawn to windows as a source of discovery. With a security screen, they can look all they want; you won’t have to worry about anything more than a few fingerprints on the glass.
The same peace of mind that comes with keeping unwanted visitors out applies to keeping your children in.
Common Security Screen Styles and Materials
One major feature of security screens is that they’re virtually invisible. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t design decisions to be made. There are still a variety of styles, colors, and configurations that can turn a run-of-the-mill security screen into a purposeful design element.
As a homeowner, you can handpick each individual element to arrive at a final product that suits your home’s aesthetic sensibility. Your design choices for security screen doors and windows can be broken down into three categories:
- Screen Opening Mechanism
- Screen Mesh Color
- Frame Options
Screen Opening Mechanism
We’ve talked at length about the screen itself, but that durable mesh insert requires an exterior door or window to fit into. That’s the first decision to be made.
Local security screen experts, like those at the Glass Guru, will have a wide variety of popular design options, including:
- French or outswing security doors
- Sliding security doors
- Fixed window screens
Within each of these categories, there are plenty of colors, brands, and looks to choose from. You’ll be able to create a design that meshes—pun intended—with the existing aesthetic of your home.
Screen Mesh Color
The point of a security screen is that it provides protection without obscuring your view. Still, they’re not 100% see-through. The color is a subtle touch but could make a difference in the overall design of your home.
White or light-colored screens are harder to see, but they might also provide less protection from the sun. Black mesh, on the other hand, is much more visible; for some homeowners, that might be the look they’re after.
Frame Options
The most significant design choice to be made is in the frame selection. While the differences in mesh colors are subtle, if not imperceptible, the frame makes a statement.
You can opt for a nearly frameless style in all its minimalistic glory, or you can choose from a collection of ornate frames, perfect for a traditionally sophisticated aesthetic. Wherever you fall along the spectrum, there’s a frame style to suit your needs.
Installing Security Screens In Your Home
Your safety is a priority—getting security window screens installed should be, too.
At the Glass Guru, a neighborhood team of craftsmen can hook you up with the latest security screen designs and professional installation. When it comes to your personal safety, you shouldn’t settle for anything less.
Sources:
SafeHome. How to Burglar Proof Your Home. https://www.safehome.org/blog/burglar-proof-your-home/
HomeAdvisor. How Much Do Solar Screens Cost? https://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/doors-and-windows/solar-shades/
