Stainless Steel vs Perforated Aluminium Security Screens — Which Is Right for Your Queensland Home?
Mesh Comparison · AS 5039 Security Screens
Stainless Steel vs Perforated Aluminium Security Screens
Both meet Australian Standard AS 5039. The right one for your home comes down to location, risk and budget — here’s how to decide.
The Short Version
Which Should You Choose?
Stainless steel woven mesh for entry doors, ground-floor windows and any home within about 5km of the coast — it’s stronger, clearer to see through and handles salt air. Perforated aluminium for windows on inland homes and for screening a lot of openings on a tighter budget — it’s a genuine AS 5039 screen for less, with more colours.
Diamond grille is neither. It’s a barrier screen — useful for balconies and low-risk windows, but it does not meet AS 5039 and should never replace a security screen on a main entry.
01 / The Baseline
What AS 5039 Means — and Why to Ask
AS 5039 is the Australian Standard for security screens. A compliant product has passed five independent tests: dynamic impact, jemmy (crowbar), pull, knife shear and probe. Both stainless steel woven mesh and perforated aluminium can be built to meet it — but not every product on the market actually does.
Always ask the installer to confirm AS 5039 compliance and show the certification. Every security screen in our CommandeX range meets the standard when fitted with a three-point lock.
02 / Option One
Stainless Steel Woven Mesh — The Gold Standard
High-tensile stainless wire woven into a fine, strong mesh and tensioned into an aluminium frame. Hard to breach, and surprisingly easy to see through.
Where it wins
Strength — high-tensile 316 mesh exceeds the AS 5039 minimums and strongly resists cutting and impact. Views & airflow — the fine wire almost disappears, ideal for Queensland’s climate. Corrosion — 316 marine grade contains molybdenum for exceptional salt-air resistance within 5km of the coast. Durability — manufacturer warranties up to 15 years, and up to 20 on the coastal SaltWaterSeries.
Trade-offs
Higher upfront cost than perforated aluminium. Fewer colour options. Heavier, so it needs a robust frame — not an issue on a properly built screen, but worth knowing.
This is the mesh in SecureView Eclipx, the screen we install most often.
03 / Option Two
Perforated Aluminium — The Strong Mid-Range Option
Aluminium sheet precision-punched with thousands of small holes. Built to AS 5039, it’s a genuine security product — a real step up from flyscreens or barrier screens.
Where it wins
Price — noticeably more affordable than stainless, so you can secure more windows for the same spend. Colour — powder-coats in a wide range to match existing frames. Weight — lighter, which helps on large window openings. Privacy — the perforated pattern makes it harder to see in while you still see out.
Trade-offs
Not the pick within about 5km of the coast — aluminium corrodes faster in salt air than marine-grade stainless. Slightly less see-through than fine stainless mesh. Generally lower impact resistance than high-tensile stainless.
In our range this is Xceed.
04 / The Common Confusion
What About Diamond Grille?
Diamond grille is a barrier screen — not a security screen. It uses a 7mm aluminium diamond pattern, does not meet AS 5039, and does not carry security screen warranties.
That doesn’t make it useless. It’s a genuinely good, affordable choice for:
- Balcony doors & windowsAbove ground level
- Side doorsRestricted access
- Upper-floor windowsLow risk
- Insect protectionPrimary concern
What it should never do is stand in for a security screen on a front door or a ground-floor window. We’re upfront about that distinction with every customer — and we won’t fit a barrier screen where a security screen belongs.
05 / Side by Side
Stainless vs Aluminium vs Diamond Grille
| Feature | Stainless Steel Mesh | Perforated Aluminium | Diamond Grille |
|---|---|---|---|
| AS 5039 compliant | Yes | Yes | No |
| Classed as | Security screen | Security screen | Barrier screen only |
| Manufacturer warranty | Up to 15–20 yrs | Up to 7 yrs | 7 yrs (barrier) |
| Coastal (within 5km) | Excellent — 316 marine grade | Not ideal | Not ideal |
| Visibility & airflow | Excellent | Good | Good |
| Colour options | Limited | Wide range | Wide range |
| Relative price | Premium | Mid-range | Budget |
| Best for | Main entries, coastal homes | Windows, inland homes | Balconies, low-risk areas |
Warranty terms and conditions apply. “Best for” is a guide — we recommend per opening at your measure.
06 / Match It to Your Home
Which One Is Right for You?
Stainless Steel Mesh
You’re within 5km of the Sunshine Coast coastline. You’re screening main entry doors or ground-floor windows. Maximum security and 15–20 year durability matter most. You want the clearest possible view.
Perforated Aluminium
You’re further inland — Caboolture, North Lakes, Narangba, Morayfield. You want genuine AS 5039 security at a more accessible price. You’re screening a lot of windows. You want closer colour matching.
Diamond Grille
Balconies, side doors and upper-floor windows. Openings where insect protection is the main goal. Lower-risk spots where AS 5039 isn’t required and budget is tight.
07 / How We Advise
The Slideit Approach — Honest Advice, Every Time
We service the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and North Brisbane as a mobile, owner-operated business. We come to you, look at every door and window, and recommend the right product for each one — based on your location, your risk and your budget, not on what’s most expensive.
Every screen is custom-made by CommandeX in Australia to our on-site measurements, backed by a manufacturer’s warranty of up to 15 years (up to 20 on SaltWaterSeries), our 6-month workmanship guarantee and $20 million public liability insurance.
Straight Answers
Stainless vs Aluminium — FAQ
Is stainless steel or perforated aluminium better for a security screen?
Both meet AS 5039 when made to standard. Stainless steel woven mesh is stronger, clearer to see through and far more corrosion-resistant, so it’s the better choice for entry doors and any home near the coast. Perforated aluminium is a genuine security screen at a lower price with more colour options, which suits windows on inland homes and larger screening jobs.
What is the difference between 304 and 316 stainless steel mesh?
316 marine-grade stainless contains molybdenum, which gives it much better resistance to salt corrosion than the 304 grade used in many cheaper screens. Within about 5km of the coast, 316 grade is the one to insist on. Our SecureView Eclipx and SaltWaterSeries screens both use 316 mesh.
Is perforated aluminium OK for a house near the beach?
Not as the first choice. Within roughly 5km of the coast, salt air corrodes aluminium faster than marine-grade stainless, so we recommend 316 stainless mesh there — and SaltWaterSeries, with its heavy-duty coastal coating, right on the water. Further inland, perforated aluminium performs well for many years.
Does a diamond grille count as a security screen?
No. Diamond grille is a barrier screen. It does not meet AS 5039 and does not carry security screen warranties. It’s a sound, affordable choice for balconies, upper-floor windows and low-risk side doors, but it should not replace a security screen on a main entry or ground-floor window.
Can I mix stainless and aluminium screens on the same house?
Yes, and it’s often the smartest spend. Many customers fit stainless steel on the front and back doors and the exposed ground-floor windows, then use perforated aluminium or diamond grille on lower-risk windows. We recommend the mix opening-by-opening at your free measure and quote.
Keep Reading
More Security Screen Guides
How to Choose Security Screens →
Security Screens on a Budget →
Compare All Screens →
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