What affects the cost of security screens?

The mesh is the core of any security screen, and grade matters. Standard-grade stainless steel mesh costs less than marine-grade 316 stainless, which is built to resist corrosion in coastal and harsh environments.

If you're near the coast, in a high-humidity area, or simply want the longest possible lifespan, marine-grade mesh is the better investment — and it will cost more than a standard-grade option.

Not all openings are equal. A fixed window screen is generally the simplest and most affordable option, followed by a single hinged door. Sliding doors, French doors, bi-fold and multi-fold configurations cost more because they need more frame engineering, additional hardware, and tighter tolerances to operate smoothly.

Larger installations like patio enclosures sit at the top of the range simply because of their scale and structural requirements.

Bigger openings need more mesh, more frame extrusion, and more reinforcement, so size has a direct effect on price.

The same applies to the number of openings — a whole-home job covering every door and window will cost more in total than a single door, though it's common for the per-opening rate to improve as the job gets larger.

Frame build quality, custom powder-coat colours to match your home, and hardware choices all add to the final price.

Lock hardware in particular can vary a lot: a single-point lock is the simplest option, while multi-point or triple-lock mechanisms, keyed-alike systems across multiple doors, and features like integrated pet doors all add cost — but they also add security and convenience, so it's worth discussing what matters most for your home with your installer.

The condition of your existing frames and openings makes a real difference. A straightforward install onto a standard, square opening in good condition is quicker and more affordable than a job that requires repairing or reinforcing old frames, removing existing screens or grilles, extending a sill, or working at height on an upper-storey window.

Site access and the general condition of your home both factor into the final installed price.

Very few homes have perfectly standard, square openings — especially older homes. Out-of-square or non-standard openings require made-to-measure fabrication rather than stock sizing, which takes more time and material than a standard fit.

Because every security screen is custom-made to order, this is factored into your quote rather than discovered as a surprise cost later.

Compliant security screen products, such as ScreenGuard, are manufactured to meet recognised Australian standards, including AS 5039. Meeting a genuine security standard rather than using generic hardware and mesh involves real material, hardware and testing costs, and it is reflected in the base price of a compliant product.

It's also the reason a certified security screen isn't directly comparable to a basic flyscreen or an uncertified budget option: you're paying for a product that has actually been tested to perform as a security barrier, not just a bug screen.

ScreenGuard is installed by a network of local, licensed fabricators, each of whom prices their own work for their own area. That means your quote accounts for local labour rates, the actual condition and size of your openings, and the specific product and finish you choose — rather than a generic figure that may not hold up once someone measures your home.

The trade-off for not having one national number on a page is that the number you do get is one you can rely on: a real price for your job, not a rough online estimate that changes once someone measures your windows.

It varies by state, installer, product type and the specifics of your home, which is why ScreenGuard doesn't quote a fixed national price. The fastest way to get an accurate figure is a free quote from your local licensed ScreenGuard fabricator.

A properly tested, standards-compliant security screen is built to act as a genuine security barrier as well as a flyscreen, and stainless steel mesh options are built to last for years with routine care — so most homeowners weigh the upfront cost against long-term durability and the added security of a certified product, rather than comparing it to a basic flyscreen price.

Online price ranges are usually national averages or estimates from a different market. Your ScreenGuard quote comes from a local licensed fabricator pricing your specific job, so it will always be more accurate than a generic online figure.

Request a free, no-obligation quote and your local licensed ScreenGuard fabricator will assess your home and give you a real price based on your openings, product choice and finish.

• 316 vs 304: what "marine-grade" stainless steel mesh actually means
• How to clean a security screen door without wrecking it
• How to read a security screen certificate: AS 5039, AS 5040 and AS 5041

ScreenGuard screens are custom-made and fitted by licensed suppliers around Australia. Tell us about your openings and your local supplier will measure, quote and install.