Our shutters have the slimmest frames on the market – and yet, they pack more safety features than any other. Investing in security shutters can be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with them.
So to help you buy security shutters with confidence, we’ll walk you through some of the features to look out for.
First of all, let’s get the big question out of the way…
Are Security Shutters Burglar Proof?
It’s a question we’re asked all the time. Are residential security shutters a sound way to protect your family and your home? Yes, they are. Many insurance companies recognise them as home security because they’re a physical barrier.
But answering the question, ‘how tough are security shutters’ is a little trickier. No security measure is foolproof. With enough time and the right tools, thieves can penetrate almost anything. That includes steel security bars, solid metal doors and yes, shutters. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t an excellent deterrent.
A better question to ask might be ‘how long does it take to break through security shutters?’. In that case, the answer would be, long enough for you to escape, or call for help or for the intruder to give up and go away. Keep reading for a real-life case of our security shutters in action.
Security Shutter Feature Checklist
Ready to purchase? Here’s a handy checklist of features to compare as you shop around.
There’s no point paying for aluminium security shutters if you can pick the lock in five minutes. Be sure to ask the sales consultant about the locks they use. Ask them about the features that make their locks pick-proof.
Bolts form part of the lock mechanism and most home security shutters have two bolts. One bolt locks the shutter panel to the top track while the other locks into the bottom track.
Strong materials such as solid steel, bronze or brass make the best bolts. So again, be sure to ask about the bolts on the security shutters you’re interested in.
All aluminium louvres are hollow and although it’s a strong material, it’s not strong enough on its own to keep intruders out. Another point of weakness is where the louvre attaches to the stile.
Ask the manufacturer what reinforcements they add to their louvres and end caps to strengthen their shutters.
Sometimes, it’s what you don’t see that counts. That’s the case when it comes to shutter frames. Here are two things to look out for.
First, ask about the grade of aluminium. High grades of aluminium have a higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS). That means the material can tolerate more stress when it’s stretched or pulled.
But that’s not enough. Remember that the frame is hollow, not solid. Ask the consultant what reinforcements they add to the frames to make them stronger.
What Makes House of Supreme Security Shutters (Almost) Impenetrable?
You can’t tell by looking at them, but our shutters have more security features than any of our competitors.
Practically pick-proof! That’s how we describe our Super C-Class Cylinder locks. With a clever design incorporating the latest lock technology, these locks are impossible to pick.
There’s no skimping on quality when it comes to security and our stainless steel bolts are proof. There are two bolts on our security shutters. An 11.5 mm bolt extends into the top frame, and a 16.5mm bolt extends into the bottom track.
Our louvres feature a double-layer centre core which adds strength and stability.
We’ve reinforced the end caps (that’s the part that attaches the louvre to the stile) with 100 mm hardened steel rods.
Our slim frames are what set us apart from the competition. We design our shutters to be aesthetically pleasing but never compromise your safety. Some hidden ribbing inside the aluminium extrusion adds strength and stability.
We use a high-grade 6063 T6 grade of aluminium for our security shutters. T6 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 190 MPa (28,000 psi).
The design alone makes them one of the trickiest barriers to penetrate. With moveable louvres, there is no leverage for a crowbar or similar tool to dislodge the louvres.
Need More Proof?
Not convinced that shutters are as strong (if not strong) as steel burglar bars? How’s this for proof…
These photos, taken around three years ago by one of our clients, are from an attempted break-in. The would-be burglar couldn’t make it past the security shutters. And although he managed to damage some louvres, we were able to repair them.
This is what the client had to say about our security shutters:
‘I’m very impressed with the product, you can see the guys spent quite some time trying to get in.’
Our security shutters are even better today. We’re always working on ways to refine and improve our window treatments. And that’s why we’re confident that ours are the best on the market.
If you’d like to know more, schedule an in-home consultation with a sales consultant. We’ll show you how House of Supreme manufactures the best security shutters.
4.8/5 Customer Rating
Best Security Shutters in SA: How to Spot Them
Our shutters have the slimmest frames on the market – and yet, they pack more safety features than any other. Investing in security shutters can be daunting if you’re unfamiliar with them.
So to help you buy security shutters with confidence, we’ll walk you through some of the features to look out for.
First of all, let’s get the big question out of the way…
Are Security Shutters Burglar Proof?
It’s a question we’re asked all the time. Are residential security shutters a sound way to protect your family and your home? Yes, they are. Many insurance companies recognise them as home security because they’re a physical barrier.
But answering the question, ‘how tough are security shutters’ is a little trickier. No security measure is foolproof. With enough time and the right tools, thieves can penetrate almost anything. That includes steel security bars, solid metal doors and yes, shutters. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t an excellent deterrent.
A better question to ask might be ‘how long does it take to break through security shutters?’. In that case, the answer would be, long enough for you to escape, or call for help or for the intruder to give up and go away. Keep reading for a real-life case of our security shutters in action.
Security Shutter Feature Checklist
Ready to purchase? Here’s a handy checklist of features to compare as you shop around.
There’s no point paying for aluminium security shutters if you can pick the lock in five minutes. Be sure to ask the sales consultant about the locks they use. Ask them about the features that make their locks pick-proof.
Bolts form part of the lock mechanism and most home security shutters have two bolts. One bolt locks the shutter panel to the top track while the other locks into the bottom track.
Strong materials such as solid steel, bronze or brass make the best bolts. So again, be sure to ask about the bolts on the security shutters you’re interested in.
All aluminium louvres are hollow and although it’s a strong material, it’s not strong enough on its own to keep intruders out. Another point of weakness is where the louvre attaches to the stile.
Ask the manufacturer what reinforcements they add to their louvres and end caps to strengthen their shutters.
Sometimes, it’s what you don’t see that counts. That’s the case when it comes to shutter frames. Here are two things to look out for.
First, ask about the grade of aluminium. High grades of aluminium have a higher Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS). That means the material can tolerate more stress when it’s stretched or pulled.
But that’s not enough. Remember that the frame is hollow, not solid. Ask the consultant what reinforcements they add to the frames to make them stronger.
What Makes House of Supreme Security Shutters (Almost) Impenetrable?
You can’t tell by looking at them, but our shutters have more security features than any of our competitors.
Practically pick-proof! That’s how we describe our Super C-Class Cylinder locks. With a clever design incorporating the latest lock technology, these locks are impossible to pick.
There’s no skimping on quality when it comes to security and our stainless steel bolts are proof. There are two bolts on our security shutters. An 11.5 mm bolt extends into the top frame, and a 16.5mm bolt extends into the bottom track.
Our louvres feature a double-layer centre core which adds strength and stability.
We’ve reinforced the end caps (that’s the part that attaches the louvre to the stile) with 100 mm hardened steel rods.
Our slim frames are what set us apart from the competition. We design our shutters to be aesthetically pleasing but never compromise your safety. Some hidden ribbing inside the aluminium extrusion adds strength and stability.
We use a high-grade 6063 T6 grade of aluminium for our security shutters. T6 temper 6063 has an ultimate tensile strength of at least 190 MPa (28,000 psi).
The design alone makes them one of the trickiest barriers to penetrate. With moveable louvres, there is no leverage for a crowbar or similar tool to dislodge the louvres.
Need More Proof?
Not convinced that shutters are as strong (if not strong) as steel burglar bars? How’s this for proof…
These photos, taken around three years ago by one of our clients, are from an attempted break-in. The would-be burglar couldn’t make it past the security shutters. And although he managed to damage some louvres, we were able to repair them.
This is what the client had to say about our security shutters:
Our security shutters are even better today. We’re always working on ways to refine and improve our window treatments. And that’s why we’re confident that ours are the best on the market.
If you’d like to know more, schedule an in-home consultation with a sales consultant. We’ll show you how House of Supreme manufactures the best security shutters.
Sash-Type Insect Screens: The Original Flyscreen
Sash-type insect screens are the type of window screens you might recall from your childhood. Their classic design has endured and there are many reasons why they’re still so popular.
Let’s explore what makes this insect screen an old favourite.
Design & Configuration of a Sash-Type Insect Screen
It’s a simple design. One fixed panel and one moveable panel are placed within an aluminium frame that fits over the window.
If you have a top-hung window, the screen will slide up and down, giving you access to the window handle at the bottom.
But if you have a side-hung window, we install the screen vertically. That means the moveable panel slides from left to right so you can access the window handle on the side of the screen.
Features & Benefits of Sash-Type Insect Screens
You can install sash-type insect screens on existing aluminium and wood frames. But they still work best with the steel frames they were originally designed for.
Here are some other features and benefits of our sash-type insect screens you should know:
Slide the moving screen out of the way to access the window handle and open your window. Then, pull the screen back across the opening for complete protection against pests.
A marine-grade powder coating protects the aluminium frame from exposure to the elements. Even the mesh (insect and pet) gets a coating of Polyvinylchlodrode (PVC) to protect it from the sun.
Our sash-type screens are available as a DIY option. But you can always let our trained installation teams do all the work for you.
You can wipe the aluminium frame down with a damp, soft cloth. And you can run your vacuum over the mesh to keep your screens sparkling. If the mesh tears or wears down over time, you can have the screens re-meshed.
Insect Mesh or Pet Mesh?
The sash-type screen design is one of three Flyscreen Supreme applications that also work with Pet Mesh.
Don’t know the difference between Insect Mesh and Pet mesh? We cover it in detail in this article on Pet Screens.
But for now, you only need to know that Insect Mesh keeps pests (like flies, mosquitoes, moths and even spiders) out. Pet Mesh does all that and is strong enough to keep pets inside.
Sash-Type Insect Screen Anatomy
In the diagram, you’ll see that our screens consist of four elements:
Burglar bars are a common feature on steel windows. But you needn’t worry about them getting in the way of your flyscreens. We have a solution for that.
When installing your screens, all we do is mark the position of the bars on the frame of the screen. We use these marks to cut out a small notch in the frame so it sits snugly against the bars. The screen forms a tight seal against the window, keeping bugs locked out. And the screen blends in with the window.
Install or DIY?
You can install our sash-type insect screens yourself. If you have steel windows, the screens can attach to your windows with clips.
You’ll need some tools such as a drill and screwdriver for wood and aluminium frames. But it’s very straightforward and we provide you with all the necessary screws and a set of instructions.
Or you can let our teams of trained installers install your screens, and we recommend this. Our installers have the tools and knowledge to fix any issues on-site immediately. And you can rest assured that your screens are correctly installed.
Looking for inexpensive, durable insect screens with an unobtrusive design? Our sash-type insect screens are the obvious choice and have been for decades. Get in touch with us today to request a quote for your home.