Count how many times your back door opens on an ordinary Saturday. The dog goes out, the kids come in, someone carries the washing to the line, and someone else ducks out to the barbecue. By evening it has easily been opened dozens of times.
That is the real test of a security door. It must keep the house secure, but it also must be easy to open and close all day, every day.
This is where an AluGARD screen door earns its place. It is made entirely from aluminium, it manages heavy daily use well, and it looks far neater than the bulky steel doors many homes still have.
What is an AluGARD Screen Door?
Alu-Gard is a security screening system made by Alspec, an Australian aluminium supplier. You will often see it spelt Alugard or AluGARD, but they all refer to the same product.
Most older security doors use a grille with separate fly mesh behind it. Alu-Gard uses a single sheet of aluminium punched with small round holes instead. Alspec specifies 2 mm holes, with about 40 per cent of the sheet left open for air and light.
That one sheet keeps intruders and insects out while still letting the breeze through. It is set into an extruded aluminium frame and fitted with a lock, hinges, and a door closer.
Light Enough for Everyone in the House
Old steel doors are heavy, and the weight causes problems over time. Hinges wear, the door drops, and it starts catching on the frame or scraping the floor.
Aluminium is much lighter, so the door is easy to swing open. A child can manage it with one hand, and so can an older parent be carrying shopping. Because there is less weight on the hinges, the door is also more likely to stay square.
Sliding doors benefit too. A lighter panel puts less strain on the rollers and track, so the door runs more smoothly for longer.
Built to Handle Daily Wear
Fly mesh is usually the first part of a screen door to fail. A dog jumps up at the postie, a cat climbs it, or a toy goes straight through, and you have a hole.
A perforated aluminium sheet holds up much better. There is no weave to stretch, no strands to split and nothing for claws to grab. It can take bumps from scooters and footballs without sagging.
The weather is less of a worry, too. Aluminium does not rust, and a good powder coat protects the colour from strong summer sun and the salt air in coastal suburbs.
Maintenance is easy:
- Wash the screen with warm, soapy water and a soft brush every few months
- Rinse it with a hose and let it dry
- Put a little lubricant on the hinges and lock once or twice a year
There is no mesh to replace and no rust to treat.
Security That Has Been Tested
A door can look strong without being evaluated properly, so check how it has been rated.
According to Alspec, Alu-Gard has been tested to Australian Standards, including AS 5041, which covers how security screens are tested against cutting, jemmying, and impact. Alspec also lists testing to AS 5203, which covers protection against falls from windows.
Remember, though, that the screen is only one part of the door. The frame, the lock and the quality of the installation all affect how well it performs, so ask your installer about each one.
The perforated sheet also gives you some daytime privacy. From inside, you can see out clearly, but from the street the screen looks mostly dark. This reverses at night when the lights are on inside, so you will still want blinds or curtains in the evening.
If your home is in a bushfire-prone area, Alspec states that the 2 mm hole size meets requirements up to BAL-29. Check your property’s Bushfire Attack Level before you rely on that.
Matching Your Windows
A new security door can make old window bars look tired. Many homes have a diamond pattern window security grill on the front or side windows, and it can clash with a modern door.
Alu-Gard can also be made up as window screens, so the doors and windows match. Compared with a traditional window security grill, a perforated screen gives you a clearer view, has no bars to dust, and lets you leave windows open on warm nights.
This works especially well for ground floor bedrooms, side windows hidden behind fences, and upstairs rooms where you want an extra barrier for young children. For bedroom windows, ask your installer about emergency exit options before you order.
What to Check Before You Buy
Not every perforated aluminium door is the same product. Before you accept a quote, ask:
- Is it genuine Alu-Gard, or a similar product from another manufacturer?
- How is the sheet held in the frame?
- What lock is included, and is it a triple lock?
- Will the installer measure on site and make the door to fit?
- What does the warranty cover?
Clear answers to these questions are a good sign that you are dealing with a supplier who knows the product.
Where to Find One in Melbourne
PA Flyscreens, based in Epping, supplies and installs Alu-Gard screens on hinged doors, sliding doors and windows across Melbourne. Each screen is custom made to measure, and the perforated sheet is held in the frame with a riveted aluminium wedge retention system.
A Door That Suits the Way You Live
The best security door is one you do not have to think about. It opens easily; locks properly and still look good after years of daily use.
An AluGARD screen door is light, hard wearing and minimal maintenance, and it has been evaluated to Australian Standards. If your current door feels heavy or the mesh keeps tearing, it is worth getting a quote.
