Security Screens for Windows: A Room-by-Room Guide

Your home has weak spots. Most of us know this in the back of our minds, but we rarely stop to think about which windows are the most vulnerable, or what we can do about it. Security screens are one of the most practical investments you can make, but choosing the right type for each room makes all the difference.

This guide walks you through every major room in your home and explains what to look for, what to avoid, and why it matters.

Why Windows Matter More Than You Think

According to a survey conducted by Compare the Market Australia, 31% of burglars enter properties through a window, making it the single most common point of entry, ahead of back doors (27%) and front doors.

And the Australian Bureau of Statistics paints a sobering picture at a national level: an estimated 3.5% of Australian households experienced a break-in or attempted break-in in 2020–21, with windows and doors being the most common targets of forced entry.

The good news? A quality security screen is one of the most effective deterrents available. Opportunistic thieves, who make up the majority of burglars, will move on if a window looks hard to get through. Windows are just one of several weak points worth checking, see our guide to the weakest points of entry.

What Makes a Screen a Security Screen?

Before we go room by room, it helps to understand what separates a genuine security screen from a standard fly screen.

In Australia, security screens for windows and doors are governed by Australian Standard AS5039. The standard was significantly updated in 2023–2024, splitting into three parts covering design requirements, installation, and testing methods.

Two new impact-resistance ratings, SL100 and SL200, were introduced, so you can now compare products on a like-for-like basis. SL200 products are tested to twice the impact threshold of SL100, which matters for higher-risk windows like those at ground level.

A product that meets AS5039 has been independently tested to resist cutting, pulling, and impact force. A product that hasn’t? There’s no way to know how it’ll hold up under real pressure, regardless of what the packaging says.

When shopping, look for the compliance label, and confirm the installer provides certification after fitting. The National Security Screen Association (NSSA) requires its members to label all security screen products that meet the standard, a useful shortcut when evaluating suppliers.

Room-by-Room Guide

The Living Room

The living room often has the largest windows in the house, and in many homes, those windows face the street or front garden. That combination of size and visibility makes them a priority.

For large fixed windows, a perforated aluminium panel screen offers strong protection without blocking your view or natural light. For windows that open, like sliding or double-hung styles, look for a security screen with a grille that locks separately from the window itself.

Because living rooms are the most “public” part of your home, aesthetics matter here too. The good news is that modern security screens come in a wide range of colours and mesh finishes that sit neatly within contemporary home designs. You shouldn’t have to choose between security and a good-looking room.

Tip: If your living room has a sliding glass door leading to a deck or garden, treat it as a window; it needs the same level of screen protection, not just a standard flyscreen.

The Bedroom

Bedrooms are where families are most vulnerable. They’re often at the back or side of the house, away from street-level visibility, which makes them attractive targets, especially at night.

Ground-floor bedroom windows are among the highest-risk openings in your home. Here, you want a screen rated to at least SL100, or ideally SL200 if the window is hidden from view by fencing or vegetation.

For parents of young children, security screens on bedroom windows serve a second important function: fall prevention. A properly installed, AS5039-certified screen is strong enough to stop a child from falling through an open window, something a standard fly screen cannot do.

Upper-floor bedrooms are lower risk, but they’re no risk. A determined intruder with time on their side, or access to a ladder, can reach a second-storey window. A security screen is still a sensible investment.

Tip: Many homeowners choose a stainless steel woven mesh for bedrooms because it allows good airflow while remaining almost invisible from inside the room. It’s a quiet, unobtrusive way to sleep easy. Windows are only part of the picture, see our guide to security upgrades for each room.

The Kitchen

Kitchens present a specific challenge: the window above the sink is almost always left open for ventilation during cooking. It’s a habit that’s hard to break, and thieves know it.

Kitchen windows tend to be narrow, but their height above the bench can make them appear secure when they’re not. A security screen means you can leave that window open while you cook without giving anyone an easy way in.

Look for a stainless steel mesh option that’s easy to wipe clean; kitchens generate grease and steam, and a screen that’s hard to maintain will be neglected. The frame should be powder-coated aluminium, which resists corrosion and won’t flake or rust over time.

Tip: If your kitchen opens onto a laundry or side passage, screen those windows too. Side passages are often unlit and out of sightlines from the street, exactly the kind of spot a burglar prefers.

The Bathroom

Bathroom windows are routinely overlooked in home security plans. They’re small, frosted, and feel inherently private, but that privacy cuts both ways. Nobody can see in, but nobody can see what’s happening outside the window either.

Small doesn’t mean safe. A determined intruder can get through a surprisingly narrow opening if there’s nothing to stop them. An Auburn security screen on a bathroom window removes that option entirely.

Because bathrooms are high-moisture environments, corrosion resistance is non-negotiable. The updated AS5039 standard now includes specific corrosion testing requirements; look for screens that have been tested to this, particularly if you’re in a coastal area where salt air accelerates rust and decay.

Tip: Louvre-style windows, which are common in Australian bathrooms, are notoriously easy to remove pane by pane. If your bathroom has louvres, a security screen is especially important, or consider replacing the louvre window altogether.

The Laundry

The laundry is the room that almost always has a window left open, for obvious reasons. Dryers, washing machines, and the general dampness of the room mean ventilation is a constant need.

It’s also, in many homes, the most accessible window in the building. Laundries are typically at the back of the house, shielded by fences, with windows close to ground level. If you could only secure one window in your home, many security professionals would point you here.

A security screen lets you leave that window open without worry. Given the relatively modest cost of a single window screen, there’s very little reason not to. Once fitted, a little regular care keeps them working properly. Here’s how to clean and maintain your screens.