Safety Screens vs Security Screens: What's the Difference?

The difference between safety screens and security screens is what they're built to stop. Safety (barrier) screens add strength and a visible deterrent. Security screens are tested systems designed to resist a determined forced entry. Fly screens, for comparison, only keep insects out. At Townsville Windows and Screens, we supply all three across Townsville and North Queensland, and plenty of homeowners don't know which type is on their doors and windows. This guide explains the difference so you can decide where your home needs an upgrade.

Key Takeaways

• Fly screens keep insects out but offer no real resistance to a break-in. Barrier screens add strength. Security screens are built and tested to resist forced entry.
• Genuine security screens are tested against Australian Standard AS5039. Barrier screens and fly screens aren't designed to pass those tests.
• Safety (barrier) screens give you light, airflow and a deterrent, but they aren't a substitute for a tested security screen at high-risk openings.
• Townsville Windows and Screens supplies aluminium security screens, diamond grill barrier screens, 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh screens and fly screens.

Understanding the Three Main Types: Flyscreens, Safety (Barrier) Screens and Security Screens

The three main types of screen are fly screens for insect control, safety or barrier screens for added strength, and security screens for tested protection against forced entry. Many Townsville homes have a mix. You might find a diamond grill screen on the front door, fly screens on the bedrooms and nothing at all on the back slider.

• Fly screens use lightweight aluminium frames with fibreglass or aluminium insect mesh. Their job is keeping out flies and mozzies.
• Safety (barrier) screens sit in the middle. They usually combine a stronger frame and a diamond grill pattern with insect mesh behind it. They're tougher than a fly screen and look like a deterrent, but they aren't built to the same standard as a security screen.
• Security screens are engineered as a complete system, with the frame, mesh, fixings and locks working together and tested to AS5039.

Knowing which type you have at each opening is the first step in working out whether your home is as secure as you think.

What Makes a Screen a True Security Screen under AS5039

A true security screen is one that meets Australian Standard AS5039, which sets out how security screens and doors are tested and installed. Not every product sold as a "security screen" meets it, so it's worth asking.

Testing under the standard looks at how a screen performs against common attack methods, including:

• Impact, simulating kicks or body weight
• Prying with a lever at hinges and lock points
• Pulling on the mesh and frame
• Probing to see whether someone can reach through to the lock
• Knife shear, testing whether the mesh can be cut

The way a screen is installed matters as much as the product. A tested screen that's poorly fixed into the building won't perform as intended. At Townsville Windows and Screens, we only supply and install products that meet or exceed these standards, and our installations are carried out under our QBCC licence. To learn more about the standard, read what security screen ratings actually mean.

Flyscreens: When Insect Control Is All You Need

Fly screens are the right choice when the only job is keeping insects out. A typical fly screen has a thin aluminium frame and fine insect mesh held in with a spline, which lets breeze and light through while stopping flies, mozzies and midges.

Fly screens work well on:

• Upper-storey windows with no easy access from outside
• Sheltered or enclosed outdoor areas
• Openings already secured by a solid door or another barrier

Their limits are just as clear. Fly screens offer no meaningful resistance to forced entry, won't hold a child or pet that pushes against them, and aren't designed to meet AS5039. They're the lowest-cost option and easy to replace, but they aren't security products.

Safety (Barrier) Screens: Extra Strength, But Not Full Security

Safety or barrier screens give you more strength than a fly screen without the full protection of a tested security screen. The most familiar style around Townsville is the aluminium diamond grill screen fitted over insect mesh. It suits older Queenslanders and post-war homes and is a clear visual deterrent.

Barrier screens can be a sensible choice for lower-risk openings such as laundry doors or side entries that can't be seen from the street. Stronger pet-resistant mesh options can also help where dogs or cats push on screens.

What they don't do is provide the tested forced-entry resistance of a security screen. If an opening is easy to reach from outside or hidden from neighbours, a barrier screen alone may not be enough. We'll always tell you upfront which category a product falls into, so you know exactly what you're getting.

Security Screens: Engineered Home Security for North Queensland Conditions

Security screens let you leave doors and windows open for the breeze while a tested barrier stays locked in place. That matters in North Queensland, where most families would rather open the house up on a warm evening than run the air conditioning all night.

A quality security screen combines:

• A heavy-duty frame that resists prying
• High-strength mesh that's hard to cut or push through
• Secure fixing into the building structure
• Quality locks and hinges on doors

Material choice matters near the coast. For homes closer to the coast, marine grade stainless steel mesh screens are often the best long-term choice, because 316 stainless resists salt air better than standard grades. As authorised Crimsafe specialists, Townsville Windows and Screens supplies Crimsafe, aluminium security screens and 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh screens for front doors, sliding doors and windows.

Comparing Flyscreens, Barrier Screens and Security Screens Side by Side

All three screen types keep insects out. The difference is what each one does beyond that.

• Insect protection: fly screens, barrier screens and security screens all keep insects out when they're in good condition.
• Security: fly screens offer none. Barrier screens offer basic resistance and a visible deterrent. AS5039-tested security screens offer the strongest protection against break-in attempts.
• Durability near the coast: stainless steel mesh and well-finished aluminium frames hold up to Townsville's heat, humidity and salt air better than standard fly screen mesh.
• Cost: fly screens cost the least, barrier screens sit in the middle and security screens are the biggest investment. Prices depend on size, materials and the opening, so an on-site measure is the only way to get an accurate figure.

If you're unsure whether screens actually make a difference to break-ins, our article on whether security screens deter or prevent crime goes into more detail.

Design, Custom Made Fit and Everyday Usability

Every screen we supply is custom made to fit its opening, because doors and windows in Townsville homes are rarely identical. Older homes in Hermit Park or Railway Estate often have frames that are slightly out of square, while newer builds in Mount Louisa or Deeragun have their own window styles and sizes.

When choosing screens, think about:

• Frame colours to match your windows, doors and trims
• Whether you prefer a traditional diamond grill look or a cleaner mesh finish
• How much view, light and airflow you want in each room
• Whether you need easy access to clean the glass behind the screen
• Safe exit from bedrooms in an emergency

Some openings need extra framing for a screen to be fitted properly, which we check during the measure and quote.

Meeting Australian Standards and Local Conditions

A product sold as a security screen or security door should meet Australian Standards for both manufacture and installation. For you as a homeowner, that means the screen has been independently tested and is fixed into your home in a way that lets it perform as tested.

North Queensland adds its own demands: strong winds, heavy wet-season rain, high UV and salt air near the coast. Some security screens are specifically engineered and tested for cyclone conditions, but not all, so if storm protection matters to you, ask which products are designed for it.

Townsville Windows and Screens holds a QBCC licence for this work and only supplies products that meet or exceed the relevant standards. Regular rinsing with fresh water keeps salt from building up and helps your screens last.

Choosing the Right Screen for Each Door and Window

Most homes are best served by a mix of screen types, matched to the risk at each opening, rather than the same product everywhere.

• Front and back doors: security doors give the strongest protection at the points intruders most commonly target. See our screen doors in Townsville for the options.
• Sliding doors and living areas: security screens suit openings that stay open for hours. Barrier screens may do where the risk is lower and budget is tight.
• Bedrooms and upstairs rooms: think about access from outside, fall risk and emergency exit together. A hinged or openable security screen can cover security without trapping anyone inside.
• Enclosed outdoor rooms: fly screens are often enough where the area is already secured.

Walk around your property and look at which openings face the street, which are hidden from neighbours and which are easy to reach. That will show you where the stronger screens should go. For more help deciding, read our guide to choosing the right security screens.

Working with Townsville Windows and Screens

Townsville Windows and Screens is locally owned and operated and has been serving North Queensland since 1988. We supply and install aluminium security screens, diamond grill barrier screens, 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh screens and fly screens for doors and windows from Thuringowa Central to Ayr and Ingham.

Every product is custom made and installed under our QBCC licence. Accurate pricing depends on checking each opening in person, so we offer a free measure and quote with no obligation. Contact us to book a visit.

FAQ: Safety Screens vs Security Screens

Do I really need security screens if I already have fly screens?

If you want to leave doors or windows open securely, yes. Fly screens keep insects out but offer almost no resistance to forced entry. Start with security screens on easy-access doors and ground-floor windows, and keep fly screens for low-risk upper windows if budget is limited.

Are diamond grill safety screens enough for home security?

Diamond grill barrier screens are stronger than fly screens and act as a deterrent, but they aren't tested to the same standard as AS5039 security screens. They can suit lower-risk side doors, while main entries and street-facing sliding doors are better served by security screens.

Will security screens make my home too dark or block the breeze?

Quality security mesh is fine enough to keep good airflow and visibility. Many Townsville homeowners find it cuts a little glare without making rooms feel dark. You can ask to see samples during your free measure and quote.

How do I look after security screens in a coastal North Queensland home?

Rinse them regularly with fresh water and wash with mild detergent to remove salt and dust, particularly on homes facing the water. Check frames, fixings and mesh as part of your seasonal maintenance so small issues are caught early.

How do I get a quote for new security doors or window screens?

Book a free measure and quote with Townsville Windows and Screens by calling (07) 4725 6044. We'll check each opening, explain the options and give you a clear written quote with no obligation.