Last Updated on September 7, 2023 by Pro Handyman Australia – Editorial Team

Security doors stand as the vanguard of your home’s protection. Beyond their primary role in safeguarding, these doors seamlessly blend functionality with aesthetics, offering advantages that many traditional security systems can’t provide. Before diving into the plethora of options in the market, it’s essential to understand the intricacies of choosing the right one for your needs.

Beyond Aesthetics:
A security door is more than just a stylish addition to your home. It’s imperative not to be swayed solely by its looks. Making a hasty decision based on appearance alone might lead you to a choice that, while aesthetically pleasing, might not provide the security level your home needs.

Key Factors to Consider

When evaluating potential security doors, ensure they:

Comply with Australian Safety Standards: Always ensure the door meets or exceeds national safety benchmarks.
Offer Weather Resistance: The ideal security door should be able to withstand diverse weather conditions without compromising its integrity or appearance.
Boast a Robust Locking System: The locking mechanism should be both complex for potential intruders yet user-friendly for homeowners.
Harmonize with Your Home’s Style: The door should aesthetically complement your home’s design and theme.

Diving Deeper – Components and Qualities

A holistic assessment goes beyond just the door itself. Consider the following components and attributes:

Frame and Infills: Investigate the strength and durability of these elements, ensuring they can withstand considerable force.
Grilles: They should be resilient yet not obstruct the door’s aesthetics.
Locks and Hinges: Examine their quality and robustness. A strong door with weak hinges or locks is a vulnerability.
Customization Options: The ability to tailor the design can be a bonus, allowing the door to seamlessly fit into your home’s unique architecture.

Other Crucial Considerations

While the above factors are vital, one shouldn’t overlook:

Corrosion Protection: Especially crucial for homes in humid or coastal areas.
Reputation of the Manufacturer: Opt for companies known for quality and longevity in the market.
Fire Safety Protocols: The door should not only protect against intruders but also have fire-resistant properties.

Embarking on Your Selection Journey

Now, equipped with this knowledge, you’re ready to make an informed decision, ensuring your home’s security without compromising its charm.

In line with the Australian security door standards AS5039-2008 and the installation standard AS5040, it’s crucial to adhere to the strict minimum-security requirements. It’s essential to note that doors should offer protection against more than just insects. They must be robust enough to deter all unwanted visitors, ranging from pests to potential intruders.

Understanding the Importance of Frames

The frame forms the foundational structure of any security door, making its selection vital. Whether you’re considering aluminium or steel frames, always inquire with the seller about its anti-corrosion seal’s compliance with Australian standards.

Ensuring Tight Seals Against Creepy Crawlies

Given Australia’s diverse array of insects and critters, it’s pivotal to have a security door without any gaps. Especially with the prevalent warm weather, prioritize doors with tight seals. Opt for security doors that feature robust stainless-steel mesh screens, available in a variety of finishes.

The Role of Grilles in Security

Grilles, distinct from the barbecue grills on your deck, are available in various designs. Among the most prevalent is the diamond cut-out, celebrated for its structural strength and deterring appearance. While diamond grilles have been a staple in Australian homes for years, contemporary doors can integrate stainless steel infills, enhancing security. Grilles not only amplify the door’s protective element but also augment its aesthetic appeal.

The Evolution of Locking Systems

Over the years, locking mechanisms have undergone significant advancements. Today, they provide unparalleled protection against unwanted entries. While there’s an option to have a security door without locks, one can also choose from single, double, or triple locking systems. The chosen system often depends on personal preferences, like the number of keys you’re comfortable managing.

Opting for Sturdy Hinges

For optimal protection, security doors should typically feature a minimum of three hinges. Welded hinges generally offer more security compared to their pressed counterparts.

Customization for a Perfect Fit

It’s imperative that your security door aligns seamlessly with your entrance. Some companies offer a measurement and cutting service, wherein a seasoned team member assesses your door frame dimensions to ensure a perfect fit.

Guarding Against Corrosion

The geographical location of your property can influence the corrosion rate of your security door. Coastal regions can accelerate metal corrosion, emphasizing the importance of rust-resistant materials. While aluminium inherently resists rust more than steel, advancements in technology have introduced coated metals resistant to corrosion.

Balancing Cost and Quality

The price of security doors can vary based on chosen materials and designs. While options include aluminium perforated sheets and decorative designs, the cost will largely depend on customization.

Aluminium Perforated Sheet: These non-corrosive sheets have been in the market for a considerable time, with prices starting from $700 AUD.
Decorative Design: These doors’ costs are influenced by their intricate designs and customizations.
Steel Options: Standard steel doors are relatively affordable, beginning at $300AUD. Conversely, stainless steel, known for its durability and aesthetic appeal, is a premium option with prices starting from $800 AUD and above.

Distinguishing Between Security Doors, Storm Doors, and Screen Doors

Security doors, storm doors, and screen doors each serve unique purposes and provide different levels of protection. It’s essential to understand their differences to make an informed decision tailored to your needs.

The Role of Storm Doors

Storm doors, primarily constructed from vinyl or aluminum, primarily function to shield the primary door from natural elements. Some come equipped with full or partial glass panels, interchangeable with screens for seasonal ventilation. For pet enthusiasts, certain models incorporate built-in pet doors, granting pets the liberty to move in and out freely.

For those prioritizing enhanced protection, security storm doors are the answer. These doors come reinforced with a welded steel frame, a protective grille, and a unique anti-removal vault pin system. This system anchors the door to the residence, counteracting any attempts to dislodge the door from the exterior. Additionally, these doors employ tempered glass, more robust than standard glass, ensuring it shatters into granular pieces instead of sharp fragments.

Understanding Screen Doors

Lightweight in nature, screen doors, crafted from materials like aluminum or fiberglass, come equipped with mesh screen panels. These panels allow for seamless air circulation, filling homes with refreshing breezes. Though these doors are not reinforced and provide minimal security, they effectively deter pests and debris while welcoming natural illumination.

For homeowners seeking enhanced security without compromising ventilation, security screen doors are ideal. Boasting robust frames, these doors are crafted to deter unwanted intruders yet ensure air circulation.

Exploring Screen Options for Security Doors

Modern security screen doors offer an array of screen choices. Among the most popular are high-tensile woven mesh, perforated mesh, and mesh steel.

High-Tensile Woven Mesh Screens:
Security doors employing high-tensile woven mesh screens offer exceptional visibility, light, and ventilation, akin to traditional screen doors. These screens, with their stainless steel wire makeup, are resilient against cuts and impacts. Furthermore, they boast excellent weather resistance and surpass the strength of standard screens made of aluminum or nylon mesh.
Perforated Mesh Metal Screens:
Constructed from a singular metal sheet, perforated mesh screens undergo a process wherein holes are punctured, crafting petite circular vents. Although these vents facilitate airflow, they obscure the inside view of homes, bolstering privacy. Security doors with this mesh design strike a balance between privacy and protection.
Mesh Steel Screens:
Made from a single sheet of metal, mesh steel screens undergo a procedure wherein slits are crafted and then the material is stretched, forming a network of diamond-shaped vents. This design offers a harmonious blend of privacy, airflow, and protection. They are often referred to as expanded metal screen security doors.

The Importance of Security Door Handing

Contrary to regular doors, a security door is designed to open outward, distancing itself from the house’s interior. The positioning of the handle and the door’s swing direction – termed door handing – is pivotal for security doors. The differentiation lies in right-hand outswing doors, which open towards the right, and left-hand outswing doors, which open leftwards.

For flexible installation options, universal reversible security doors cater to both right-hand and left-hand outswing preferences.

Choosing the Right Hardware for Your Security Door

The right hardware doesn’t just enhance the security of your door but also contributes to its aesthetic appeal. From handles to hinges, here’s a guide on what to consider when selecting door hardware.

Variety in Finishes and Colors

Door hardware comes in a plethora of finishes and colors to match your decor. You can opt for finishes like satin, polished, or venetian bronze. Color choices range from gold and silver to chrome, ensuring that your door hardware seamlessly blends with your security door’s design.

Knobs for Security Doors

Much like security doors themselves, lock sets for these doors come in a diverse array of styles. When considering knobs for security doors, it’s worth noting that many keyed entry knobs are usually paired with a deadbolt, offering an added layer of security.

Handles Tailored for Security

Some security doors come with built-in handles, which can simplify the installation process. However, if the door you choose doesn’t have an included handle, it’s crucial to select a handle that fits and functions well with your specific door type.

The Significance of Deadbolts

Deadbolts act as the primary defense mechanism against potential intrusions, making them indispensable for security doors. Since they’re embedded within the door frame, they offer exceptional protection against forced entries. There are several types of deadbolts to consider:

Single Cylinder Deadbolts: These require a key only on the external side.
Double Cylinder Deadbolts: These necessitate a key for both the inside and outside.
Single-Sided Deadbolts: Installed internally, these are locked using a thumb turn and remain invisible from the outside, offering a covert security measure.

Enhanced Protection with Security Door Hinges

Distinct from conventional door hinges, security door hinges are crafted to provide heightened protection. Their tamper-resistant design ensures that potential intruders cannot easily remove the hinge, and subsequently, the door. Choosing the right hinge is paramount in maintaining the security integrity of your door.

Conclusion

In today’s fast-paced world, ensuring the security of our homes has become more essential than ever. A well-informed decision can make all the difference when it comes to the safety and aesthetic appeal of our living spaces. Our comprehensive guide to buying security screen doors has provided insights into the vital factors to consider, from understanding the distinctions between various door types to the intricate details of hardware selection. A security screen door isn’t just a barrier; it’s a reflection of your commitment to safeguarding your sanctuary. As you embark on your journey to select the ideal security screen door, let the knowledge from this guide be the beacon that ensures your choice is both stylish and steadfast.