Not All Security Screen Doors Are Alike
A security door for your home can help to keep out intruders, and may be much easier to manage than a complicated alarm system and security cameras. A security screen door also gives you security when you're home, and keeps the interior door open for added light and air circulation.
However, shopping for a new security screen door can be a challenge, as these doors are not all alike! Note a few major differences in security screen doors, so you can determine the best choice for keeping your home and family safe and secure.
Aluminium versus steel
Steel is much stronger than aluminium, so it may be the best choice when you want maximum protection against someone trying to pry open the door, or kick it in. However, steel is much heavier than aluminium, so it may need added bracing around the doorframe, so as to support that extra weight.
A heavy steel door may also need more care in opening and closing, and may be difficult for children, the elderly, or others to manage safely. If you do opt for a steel security screen door, consider a pneumatic hinge, which provides some control over how quickly the door closes. This keeps it from banging shut or becoming too heavy for someone in your family to manage.
Size of screen
When shopping for security screen doors, note the size of the mesh of the screen, as a smaller mesh is more difficult to cut. Note, too, its depth, or thickness from front to back; a very thin screen can be easier to cut or even bend out of the door's frame, whereas a thicker mesh will be more securely attached to the doorframe, and harder to bend or cut.
Mesh versus grille
The screen of a security door can be a mesh or a grille. The mesh starts with a solid piece of metal with holes that are then punched through it, whereas grilles are individual strands of metal that are intertwined or twisted into a pattern, usually diamond shapes or something similar. The mesh screen is much stronger and more durable and less likely to be cut, as it's actually a solid piece of metal, whereas a grille is less secure. However, a grille may also be more attractive, as it's not simply holes or squares, and the larger diamond shapes can let in more light and air when the interior door is open. Balance your need for security against your need for comfort when choosing between a mesh and grille for your security screen door.