Do Security Screens Actually Prevent Break-ins?

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Let’s cut through the mesh.

You’ve probably seen the ads: security screens that claim to stop burglars, block bugs, and survive a hurricane.

But do they actually prevent break-ins — or are they just expensive window jewelry?

Spoiler: They work. But only if you get the right kind.

Let’s break it down like someone just tried to break into your house (but didn’t, because… security screens).

🧠 The Basics: What Is a Security Screen?

It’s not the screen door from 1987.

A security screen is a window or door covering made of woven stainless steel mesh, reinforced aluminum framing, and tamper-proof mounting.

They’re built to withstand force, not just airflow.

Think of it as a steel barrier disguised as a bug screen.

💥 Real Talk: How Do Most Break-ins Happen?

Most Ontario break-ins aren’t high-tech heists.
They’re fast, opportunistic, and boring:

  • Forced entry through a basement or rear window
  • A quick kick to a patio door
  • Cutting or popping a window screen and climbing in

They’re in and out in under 10 minutes — unless something stops them.

Like a screen they can’t cut, bash, pry, or remove.

🧪 Do Security Screens Actually Work?

Yes. Here’s what they resist:

  • Knives and boxcutters (mesh won’t tear)
  • Crowbars and prying tools (frame stays locked in place)
  • Kicking and blunt force (mesh flexes, doesn’t snap)
  • Screwdriver attacks (fasteners are tamper-resistant)
  • Window shattering (glass breaks behind the screen, intruder still stuck)

Multiple brands have even passed knife shear tests and impact testing to meet security screen standards (like Australian Standards AS5039–2008, which are brutal).

👮 But Do They Stop Actual Break-ins?

We’ve had customers in Barrie, Innisfil, and up in cottage country tell us they walked away with nothing but scratches on the mesh — and bruised egos.

Security screens delay entry — and that’s everything.
Break-ins rely on speed. When that fails, most intruders get tired and walk away.

🏡 Where Should You Install Them?

  • Basement windows
  • Ground-level side and rear windows
  • Sliding patio doors
  • Cottage windows that sit empty all winter

We recommend pairing them with security shutters or security bars for layered protection.

💡 Are All Screens Created Equal?

No. Some screens look secure but rip like tissue paper under pressure.
If it doesn’t use marine-grade stainless mesh and reinforced framing, it’s not the real deal.

We install only high-grade security mesh tested for Canadian conditions — from summer storms to winter freeze-thaw cycles.

🚪 Can’t They Just Open the Window Anyway?

Not if you install these on the outside frame and lock the screen itself.
Even if the window opens, the screen doesn’t — and it takes tools, noise, and time to get through it.

Final Word: Are Security Screens Worth It?

If you:

  • Have valuable stuff
  • Live in a vulnerable area
  • Own a seasonal cottage
  • Like fresh air without worrying who’s climbing in…

Then yes. They work. Quietly. Consistently. Invisibly.

Upgrade your screens. Get security screens today

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