Business-safe: security screens and security screen doors

Every would-be thief is a vandal, simply by their actions. Their attempts to break into your premises are likely to do damage, whether they manage to get in or not.

Vandalism for the sake of it is different; spraying graffiti or breaking windows are just a couple of the most prevalent outcomes of such wanton, anti-social behaviour. However, vandal-resistant security screens and security screen doors, while not foolproof, can help make your premises more resistant to damage.

“Protecting premises against burglary attempts and the damage such acts can cause is possible with quality security screens and security screen doors, at least to some extent,” says Justen Radich, owner of Cyclone Security Blinds and Awnings in North Brisbane.

“Using the same type of products to protect your place against deliberate vandalism is far less viable, because there are simply so many things a vandal can do to cause damage - most of which have nothing to do with security. Spraying graffiti is possibly one of the most common, and getting rid of this will require special paint removal products, regardless of what kind of security material you go for. The only instance where I can imagine security screens may act as a preventative measure for deliberate vandalism relates to broken glass.”

Smashing solution

Justen explains that windows and doors protected with steel security screens are almost impossible to break by conventional or random means. “This certainly benefits business and home owners, not just from a cost and convenience point of view, but from a safety perspective as well,” he says.

Safety first

“After all, no one wants staff, customers or their kids at home coming into contact with broken glass, either the shattered panes still hanging in the frame - which are especially dangerous - or shards strewn on the floor.”

Burglary as vandalism

According to Justen, when it comes to the damage done by break-in attempts, security screens and security screen doors all offer a degree of protection. “The major thing is the deterrent factor,” he says. “In other words, if a would-be thief sees decent quality security screens on windows and doors, they’re not likely to go near the place; they’ll probably move on to a neighbouring building.”

Three better than one

“Another factor is the quality of the product you install. If a thief is trying to wrench a security screen door from its housing, they’ll have less success and cause far less damage if that door is fitted with multipoint locks. Multipoint or triple locks secure a door to the door surround in three places: top, bottom and middle, with each connected to a centrally located locking system.

“Like all good quality security screen doors, they also feature a system that interlocks the back of the door with the door surround so it can’t be levered away. Again, this feature not only makes them more secure, it stops the door being bent out of shape.”

Justen favours steel over aluminium because it is usually sturdier. “The only downside to this is cost,” he says. “But like all security-related matters, you get what you pay for and when it comes to vandalism prevention, paying a little bit more at the outset may save you a bundle down the track.”

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