Australian homeowners face a mix of risks – break-ins, extreme weather, bushfire exposure, and rising energy costs. Two common upgrades for windows and doors are roller shutters and security screens. Both improve protection, but they perform differently depending on what you’re trying to protect against. This guide explains each option and compares them across forced entry, privacy, weather and bushfire performance, insulation, and noise reduction to help you choose with confidence.

What are Roller Shutters?

Roller shutters are exterior-mounted barriers made from interlocking metal slats that move alongside tracks and roll into a headbox when open. Most residential models use aluminium (sometimes steel for high-security variants), often with foam-filled slats for better insulation and rigidity. When closed, shutters form a solid “curtain” over the opening that blocks access, light, and weather exposure. These can be either motorised or operated manually.

Best suited for: Homeowners wanting strong visual deterrence, total privacy, storm shielding, and comfort benefits (darkening, insulation, noise reduction).

What are Security Screens?

Security screens are fixed mesh panels (typically stainless steel woven mesh or perforated aluminium) installed in robust frames over windows or doors. Unlike standard flyscreens, true security screens are engineered to resist forced entry while maintaining airflow and visibility. For Australia, the key benchmark is AS 5039 for security screen doors and window grilles, supported by forced-entry testing under AS 5041 and installation requirements under AS 5040. These tests include impact, levering/jemmy attempts, pull tests, and cutting/knife shear resistance.

Best suited for: Doors and windows you want open for ventilation while remaining secure (front doors, sliding doors, accessible windows).

Head-to-head comparison

1) Forced entry resistance

Roller shutters: When closed and correctly fitted, shutters are a major physical obstacle. The solid slatted curtain, side tracks, and optional locks make it difficult to pry open or lift without time, noise, and tools – all deterrents burglars avoid. The visible presence also signals a “hard target”, which may discourage opportunistic intruders. Some insurers recognise shutters and screens as risk-reduction measures and may offer premium reductions in certain cases.

Security screens: High-quality screens that comply with AS 5039/5041 have the advantage of standards-tested resistance to impact, levering, and cutting attacks. They can withstand kicks and shoulder impact and resist common hand-tool prying attempts when installed correctly. However, determined intruders with heavy cutting tools or power tools may eventually breach mesh given sufficient time.

Bottom line: Shutters generally provide a stronger “solid barrier” effect, while certified screens provide proven, tested forced-entry performance – with the major bonus of ventilation.

2) Privacy and visibility

Roller shutters: Offer near-total privacy and room darkening when closed, blocking the view entirely and dramatically reducing light. This is ideal for bedrooms, shift workers, street-facing rooms, or homes where privacy is a priority. The trade-off is loss of view and daylight while closed.

Security screens: Preserve view, daylight, and airflow. Daytime privacy can improve slightly with darker mesh, but at night (with interior lights on) visibility into the home is often higher than with shutters. Privacy mesh options exist, but can reduce clarity and airflow.

Bottom line: Shutters win on privacy and blackout control; screens win on openness and visibility.

(Image: Privacy of roller shutters. Credit: Titan Shutters)

3) Storm and high-wind protection

Roller shutters: Generally outperform screens for severe weather. Closed shutters shield glazing from debris, hail and wind-driven impacts, and quality systems can be designed to withstand wind loads under AS/NZS 1170.2.

Security screens: Can provide some protection by intercepting smaller debris and helping contain glass if a window breaks, and some high-grade systems are marketed for cyclone performance. But a mesh panel is typically not equivalent to a solid shutter for impact shielding.

Bottom line: Shutters are the stronger choice for storm and debris defence, especially in severe weather zones.

4) Bushfire performance

Bushfire protection depends heavily on your BAL rating and compliance with AS 3959.

Roller shutters: Bushfire-rated shutters can help seal windows against embers, reduce radiant heat exposure, and protect glazing in high-risk areas, including higher BAL categories where window protection requirements are stricter. Some products are designed to withstand high heat flux and short-duration flame exposure.

Security screens: In lower to moderate BAL areas, AS 3959 supports the use of fine metal mesh screens (≤2 mm aperture) on openable windows to reduce ember entry risk. Quality metal security mesh often meets the ember-screen concept and can reduce ember intrusion and offer limited radiant heat shielding. However, in extreme conditions, mesh alone may not prevent glass failure.

Bottom line: Screens can be valuable ember protection in BAL 12.5–29 contexts; bushfire-rated shutters are typically superior (and may be required) in higher BAL settings.

5) Thermal insulation and energy efficiency

Roller shutters: This is where shutters clearly lead. When closed, they create an insulating layer and air gap that reduces heat transfer. External shutters can block up to ~90% of radiant heat gain in summer and reduce winter heat loss by around 70%, helping reduce reliance on heating and cooling and improving comfort.

Security screens: Provide minimal insulation benefit because the mesh is ventilated and doesn’t create a thermal barrier. Their main comfort advantage is enabling safe natural ventilation (eg. windows open behind a locked screen) rather than sealing heat out.

Bottom line: If reducing heat gain/loss and improving indoor comfort is a priority, roller shutters outperform security screens.

6) Noise reduction

Roller shutters: Typically outperform screens acoustically. Insulated shutters can reduce external noise by roughly 6–10 dB (often perceived as a significant drop).

Security screens: Offer little meaningful noise reduction because sound travels through the mesh.

Bottom line: For noticeable noise dampening (traffic, neighbours, general external noise), roller shutters are the better option.

(Image: Home security options. Credit: Titan Shutters)

Which is better for your home?

Both roller shutters and security screens are effective security upgrades that have become popular among Australian homeowners, and each brings its own set of benefits. Motorised roller shutters offer an all-in-one fortress-like protection – from deterring burglars to insulating against heat, reducing noise, and shielding against storms and bushfires. Security screens provide a versatile everyday safeguard, keeping your home secure while maintaining airflow, visibility, and a welcoming appearance.

In the end, it’s not about declaring an absolute winner, but about matching the solution to your needs. Whether you go with the solid strength of roller shutters, the secure openness of security screens, or a combination of the two, you’ll be investing in greater protection and peace of mind for you and your family.