Security Screen Doors

Security screen doors allow you to open your home to air and refreshing breezes while you are indoors. The mesh design, whilst allowing in air, keeps flying insects outside, keeps your cat, or dog, safely inside and prevents neighbor’s pets from wandering in.

To be termed security screen doors the construction should be such as to prevent (as far as possible) an intruder gaining entry to your home.

Unfortunately there are some screen doors that are promoted as being secure but offer little resistance to a determined intruder.

Yes, they will stop someone from just walking in and give them some hindrance, but with a little force, or some housebreaking skills, a criminal could be in your home within seconds, perhaps with little or no noise.

The very best security screen doors are only as good as the most vulnerable part of them. A sturdy mesh is no protection if it is not soundly fixed to the body of the door and the strongest of doors is a feeble defense if fitted in a weak frame. The best of hinges are no security measure if fitted in with inadequate screws. Needless to say, a poor lock makes a security door almost pointless.

Hinge bolts will help to fortify your security screen door against force and will prevent the door being pulled, or levered with a crowbar from its hinges. Hinge bolts are an essential measure if your door opens outwards, as most security doors do.

Multi point deadbolt locking, with bolts locking top, bottom and center will provide the greatest intruder deterrent. Remember though the need for escape in the event of fire, any security measures that you fit may have to comply with local fire code requirements and be designed for quick exit in an emergency.

An external quality door frame, free from rot or damage, and fixed soundly to the brickwork with frame fixing bolts enclosed in plastic sleeves which will absorb a forceful attack, is of utmost importance in screen door security. The door should close snugly in the frame.

The woven mesh screen ideally should be welded to the body of the door with a continuous weld, if spot welded then 25 cm max between spots. If riveted, again no more than 25 cm apart. 304 grade mesh is good, and better still if it is corrosion proofed.

To prevent your screen door from slamming shut, consider installing a pneumatic or hydraulic closer. If you have a wheelchair user in the house keep in mind that installing a security door narrower than the main door may restrict access. Also, moving furniture in and out can be a problem with restricted access.

In Summary, Security Screen Doors . . .

• Allow you to enjoy the air flowing through your home.
• Keep bugs and other pests out.
• Prevent your pets from escaping through the open door.
• Prevent neighbors’ pets, and other animal life, from entering your home.
• Enable you to clearly see who is calling.
• Give you a good measure of security against intruders without bars or grills.