Invisi-Gard uses woven 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh. It's the clearest to see through, handles salt air best and has the longest warranty, but costs the most. Alu-Gard uses perforated aluminium sheet for a similar modern look at a lower price, with a 7-year warranty. Diamond grille is a classic aluminium grille with a separate insect screen, and is one of the most affordable options.
All three of these are proper security screens, and Alspec's versions of each are tested against knives, pry bars and impact. The difference is in the materials, the look, how they cope with salt air and how long they're covered. Here's the plain-English version.
Invisi-Gard: the premium choice
- Made of: woven 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh, with a black coating, in an aluminium frame. The mesh is held with a patented screwless clamp that keeps the stainless steel away from the aluminium, which helps prevent corrosion where the two metals meet.
- The view: fine mesh with 1.6 mm holes, so it's easy to see out and the breeze comes straight through.
- Insects: kept out by the mesh itself.
- Salt air: the best of the three.
- Warranty: lifetime on the mesh for homes, and 15 years on the frame.
- Price: the most expensive of the three.
Alu-Gard: a modern look for less
- Made of: a 1.6 mm perforated aluminium sheet with 2 mm round holes, in an aluminium frame.
- The view: a smooth black panel you can see through. Clean and modern, though not quite as fine as woven mesh.
- Salt air: all aluminium and very corrosion resistant.
- Warranty: 7 years.
- Price: noticeably less than Invisi-Gard.
Diamond grille: classic and affordable
- Made of: a tough aluminium grille in the traditional diamond pattern, with a separate insect screen behind it.
- The view: the classic grille look.
- Insects: kept out by the insect screen.
- Warranty: 12 months on the screen, and 5 years on the locks.
- Price: one of the most affordable ways to secure a door or window.
Which one for which home?
- Close to the water (beachside suburbs, anywhere you get salt spray): Invisi-Gard.
- You want the view and the breeze: Invisi-Gard.
- A modern look on a tighter budget: Alu-Gard.
- A rental, granny flat or a budget-first job: diamond grille or Alu-Gard.
- A mix: plenty of homes use Invisi-Gard on the doors they open every day and a more affordable option on the rest.
Good to know
- A screen door is only a true security door when it has proper security locks and hinges and is installed to the standard.
- Adding a pet door to an Invisi-Gard door means it's no longer classed as a security door.
- Every screen lasts longer with regular cleaning, especially near the coast. Here's how to clean security screens.
Not sure which suits your place? That's what the free measure is for. We'll look at each opening and give you an honest recommendation. You can also see all three on our security screens page.
Common questions
Which security screen is best near the beach?
Invisi-Gard. Its mesh is 316 marine-grade stainless steel, which is made for salt air, and Alspec reports it passing more than 2,000 hours of salt-spray testing. It still needs regular cleaning near the coast to keep the warranty.
Can you see through Alu-Gard?
Yes. Alu-Gard is a perforated aluminium panel with small round holes, so you can see out, though the view isn't quite as fine as Invisi-Gard's woven mesh.
Does a diamond grille keep insects out?
The grille itself doesn't. Diamond grille doors and windows have a separate insect screen fitted behind the grille to keep insects out.
GNB Shade & Security Specialists (Garry Neven Blinds) is a family-owned business in Garbutt, Townsville, with more than 30 years in security screens, plantation shutters, blinds, roller shutters and outdoor blinds. We're a licensed Invisi-Gard dealer, everything we sell is made in Australia, and we measure, build and install to order. Free measure and quote on 07 4728 9554.
