Security Shutters vs Burglar Bars: Which Protects Your Garden Route Home Better?
Burglar bars have protected South African homes for decades. But aluminium security shutters are replacing them across the Garden Route, and the reasons go beyond looks.
Should you choose security shutters or burglar bars for your home?
- Aluminium security shutters replace burglar bars, curtains, and blinds in a single louvred panel with a 3-pin locking mechanism that secures top and bottom simultaneously.
- Burglar bars cost less upfront but offer no light control, no privacy adjustment, and no insulation. Steel models corrode quickly in coastal conditions.
- Security shutters are recognised by most South African short-term insurers as a qualifying security barrier, and estate agents report they add resale value.
- On the Garden Route, salt air and humidity accelerate rust on steel burglar bars. Powder-coated aluminium shutters resist corrosion without repainting.
- Custom Blinds has installed over 2,000 aluminium security shutters across the Garden Route since 2010 with zero corrosion-related warranty claims.
Garden Route: Call Duncan on 079 523 5407 | View security shutters
Every homeowner on the Garden Route faces the same tension: you want to feel safe without feeling caged. Steel bars darken rooms and frame every window with a reminder that security comes at a cost. Aluminium shutters resolve that tension. They lock, they protect, and then they disappear into the architecture of your home.
What are aluminium security shutters?
Aluminium security shutters are louvred panels manufactured from architectural-grade aluminium, fitted into window and door openings with a built-in locking system. When locked, the top and bottom pins engage simultaneously, typically protruding 45 mm into the wall and floor, making the panel extremely difficult to lever or force.
The louvres tilt to control light, airflow, and privacy, and can be powder coated in white, charcoal, grey, or bronze to match any interior. Unlike decorative indoor shutters, security shutters are engineered specifically to resist forced entry. Reinforced louvre attachment mechanisms grip tighter under force, and tamperproof stile covers prevent removal of individual blades.
Security shutters are available in hinged, bi-fold, and bypass configurations, fitting standard windows, wide openings, stacking doors, and even commercial shopfronts. Custom Blinds manufactures and installs aluminium security shutters across the Garden Route with a 7-year warranty on all components.
How do security shutters compare to burglar bars?
| Feature | Aluminium Security Shutters | Steel Burglar Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Locking | 3-pin lock, top and bottom (45 mm pins) | Fixed or basic padlock |
| Light control | Tilting louvres, full range | Fixed, no adjustment |
| Privacy | Adjustable, full privacy when closed | Always visible through bars |
| Airflow | Open louvres while locked | Permanent airflow (cannot close) |
| Insulation | Closed louvres reduce heat transfer | No insulation value |
| Coastal corrosion | Aluminium does not rust | Steel rusts within 2-3 years |
| Maintenance | Wipe with damp cloth | Repaint every 2-3 years |
| Insurance | Recognised by most SA insurers | Recognised (quality dependent) |
| Resale impact | Premium upgrade | Neutral to negative |
| Emergency escape | Unlock with key, full opening | Fixed bars: no escape |
| Aesthetics | Architectural, replaces curtains | Industrial, visible barrier |
| Cost per window | Higher upfront (custom manufactured) | Lower upfront (standard sizes) |
Why are Garden Route homeowners replacing burglar bars?
The shift from burglar bars to security shutters on the Garden Route is driven by three forces: coastal conditions, lifestyle expectations, and resale value.
Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and George experience salt-laden air, high humidity, and strong UV, conditions that degrade steel rapidly. Homeowners who fitted galvanised burglar bars five years ago are already dealing with rust stains on walls, flaking paint, and weakened joints. Aluminium does not rust. Powder-coated aluminium resists salt air, UV fading, and moisture without repainting.
The lifestyle factor matters equally. Garden Route homes are designed around natural light and outdoor connection. Burglar bars darken rooms and obstruct views. Security shutters tilt open to let light flood the room while remaining locked. The view stays, the security stays, and the bars disappear.
Do insurance companies recognise security shutters?
Most South African short-term insurers recognise aluminium security shutters as a qualifying security barrier. The shutters meet the physical deterrent criteria that insurers assess: a locking mechanism, resistance to forced entry, and coverage of the full window opening.
Some policies offer reduced premiums when security shutters are installed on all accessible openings, though the discount varies by insurer and policy type. Before installing either product, request confirmation from your insurer that the specific product qualifies under your policy. Custom Blinds provides installation certificates for insurance purposes on every Garden Route project.
How much do security shutters cost compared to burglar bars?
Security shutters cost more upfront than standard burglar bars. Aluminium shutters are custom manufactured to each opening, measured, built, powder coated, and installed by a specialist, which makes them a higher initial investment than off-the-shelf steel bars.
However, the total cost of ownership over 10 years often favours shutters because they eliminate the need for separate curtains, blinds, and ongoing rust maintenance. Custom Blinds provides itemised quotes after a free site assessment. Every quote includes manufacturing, powder coating, hardware, installation, and the 7-year warranty. There are no deposits. You pay on completion.
When should you keep burglar bars instead?
Burglar bars remain the right choice in certain situations. If budget is the primary constraint and you need basic window security across many openings quickly, standard burglar bars deliver functional protection at a lower cost per window. They also suit rental properties where the owner needs durable, low-risk security that tenants cannot easily damage.
For inland properties with minimal corrosion risk, galvanised steel bars can last 10 to 15 years with periodic repainting. And if your windows are small, high, or rarely accessed, such as bathroom fanlights or garage vents, basic bars may be all the protection needed.
The decision often splits by room. Many Garden Route homeowners fit security shutters on the living areas, bedrooms, and stacking doors where light control and aesthetics matter most, and retain burglar bars on utility windows, garages, and less visible openings. Custom Blinds installs both security shutters and security screens, and can advise on a mixed approach during a free site visit.
How long does installation take?
A typical security shutter installation on the Garden Route follows a 3 to 4 week timeline from first contact to completed installation. Week one covers the site visit and measurement. Duncan visits the property, assesses each opening, discusses configuration preferences, and takes precise measurements. Weeks two and three are manufacturing and powder coating at the workshop. Week three or four is installation day, which usually takes 1 to 2 days depending on the number of openings.
Custom Blinds project-manages every security shutter installation from measurement through to final handover, including a walk-through demonstration of locking, tilting, and maintenance. Every installation comes with an insurance-ready certificate.
“I stopped counting how many clients ask me to remove burglar bars and replace them with shutters. The conversation has changed. People want security that does not punish the room.”
Duncan KaneFounder, Custom Blinds. 20 years experience across the Garden Route
Frequently Asked Questions
Are aluminium security shutters stronger than burglar bars?
Aluminium security shutters with 3-pin locking, reinforced louvre attachments, and 45 mm engagement pins provide comparable forced-entry resistance to quality steel burglar bars. The tamperproof mechanism tightens under force, making prying extremely difficult. Both products are recognised as security barriers by South African insurers.
Do security shutters work in coastal areas like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay?
Aluminium security shutters are built for coastal conditions. Powder-coated architectural-grade aluminium does not rust, corrode, or degrade in salt air. Custom Blinds has installed security shutters across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, and Sedgefield since 2010 with zero corrosion-related warranty claims.
Can I get insurance recognition for security shutters?
Most South African short-term insurers recognise aluminium security shutters as a qualifying security barrier. Custom Blinds provides installation certificates for insurance purposes. Some insurers offer reduced premiums when shutters cover all accessible openings, though discounts vary by policy.
How much do security shutters cost per window?
Security shutter pricing depends on opening size, configuration (hinged, bi-fold, or bypass), and colour. Every shutter is custom manufactured, so pricing is quoted per project after a free site visit. Custom Blinds provides itemised quotes with no deposit required. You pay on completion.
Can security shutters replace curtains and blinds?
Yes. Aluminium security shutters replace burglar bars, curtains, and blinds in a single product. The louvres tilt to control light from full open to near-closed, provide complete privacy when shut, and offer insulation against heat and cold. Many Garden Route homeowners remove curtains entirely after fitting security shutters.
Do burglar bars reduce property value?
Estate agents on the Garden Route report that buyers frequently request burglar bar removal before transfer, viewing them as outdated and unattractive. Aluminium security shutters, by contrast, are listed as a premium feature in property descriptions and contribute positively to perceived value.
Can security shutters fit stacking doors and wide openings?
Yes. Security shutters are available in hinged, bi-fold, and bypass configurations to fit standard windows, wide openings, stacking doors, and commercial shopfronts. Custom Blinds has fitted shutters on openings from small bathroom windows to 4 metre wide patio doors across the Garden Route.
Ready to replace burglar bars with something better?
Free site assessment across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield, and Mossel Bay.
Custom Blinds® is a Garden Route window covering specialist established in 2010, serving Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield, Mossel Bay, and surrounding areas. We manufacture Custom Lifestyle Shutters™ and aluminium security shutters locally in Knysna. Over 2,000 security shutter installations with zero corrosion-related warranty claims. 7-year warranty on all components.
