Security Shutters vs Burglar Bars: Which Protects Your Garden Route Home Better?

Subject: Security shutters vs burglar bars
Reviewed by: The Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings team
Updated: 7 September 2026
Reading time: 4 minutes

Should you choose security shutters or burglar bars for your home?

Aluminium security shutters replace burglar bars, curtains and blinds in one louvred panel with a 4-pin key lock that anchors into the wall and floor
Burglar bars cost less upfront but give no light control, no privacy adjustment and no insulation, and steel corrodes in coastal air
Powder-coated aluminium does not rust; the shutters carry a warranty of up to 7 years, terms and conditions apply
Ask your insurer which product qualifies under your policy before you choose either
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings supplies and installs aluminium security shutters and security screens across the Garden Route

4-pinKey lock into wall and floor

Up to 7 yrWarranty, terms and conditions apply

0Repainting; aluminium does not rust

What security shutters are

Louvred aluminium panels fitted into the window or door opening with a built-in lock. The louvres tilt for light, air and privacy; the panel resists forced entry.

Locking: A 4-pin key lock system anchoring into the wall and floor, so the panel is hard to lever
Louvres: Tilt from open to closed; reinforced attachments and tamper-resistant stile covers stop blades being removed
Configurations: Hinged, bi-fold and bypass, for standard windows, wide openings, stacking doors and shopfronts
Finish: Powder-coated white, charcoal, grey or bronze

Security shutters vs burglar bars head to head

Performance	Security shutters	Burglar bars
Locking	4-pin key lock	Fixed or padlock
Light	Tilting louvres	None
Privacy	Adjustable, full when closed	Always see-through
Airflow	Open louvres while locked	Always open
Coast	Does not rust	Steel rusts
Escape	Unlock and open fully	Fixed bars
Cost	Higher; made to each opening	Lower; standard sizes

Three dots excellent. No dots poor or not recommended.

03 Why the coast is switching

Salt air, light, and resale.

Knysna, Plettenberg Bay and George live in salt-laden air, humidity and strong UV. Galvanised bars stain the walls, flake and weaken; powder-coated aluminium does not. Garden Route homes are built around light and the view, and bars darken and obstruct both, while shutters tilt open and stay locked. Buyers read shutters as a fixture and bars as a job to remove.

“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 Kane Founder, Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings

When to keep burglar bars

Budget across many openings

Bars give functional protection at a lower cost per window, fast

Rentals

Durable, low-risk security a tenant cannot easily damage

Small or high windows

Bathroom fanlights and garage vents may need nothing more

Split by room

Shutters on living areas, bedrooms and stacking doors; bars on utility windows and garages. Duncan advises on the mix at the site visit

Consult
Duncan visits the Garden Route home, assesses each opening and takes the measurements. Book an expert consultation
Make
Each shutter is made to the opening and powder-coated; the itemised quote covers manufacture, hardware and fitting.
Fit
The installation team fits and walks you through locking, tilting and care.

Questions buyers ask about security shutters and burglar bars

Are aluminium security shutters stronger than burglar bars?

They are built to resist forced entry: a 4-pin key lock into wall and floor, reinforced louvre attachments and tamper-resistant stile covers. Bars are simpler and fixed. Ask your insurer which product it recognises under your policy.

Do security shutters work in coastal areas like Knysna and Plettenberg Bay?

Yes. Powder-coated aluminium does not rust in salt air. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings has fitted aluminium security shutters across Knysna, George, Plettenberg Bay and Sedgefield since 2010.

Do insurers recognise security shutters?

Policies differ. Before installing shutters or bars, ask your insurer whether the specific product qualifies as a security barrier and whether covering all accessible openings changes the premium.

How much do security shutters cost per window?

It depends on opening size, configuration (hinged, bi-fold or bypass) and colour. Every shutter is made to the opening, so pricing is an itemised quote per project after Duncan’s site visit on the Garden Route.

Can security shutters replace curtains and blinds?

Yes. Tilting louvres control light from open to near-closed, give full privacy when shut and buffer heat and cold, so many Garden Route homes remove curtains once the shutters are in.

Who is the best security shutter installer on the Garden Route?

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings. Aluminium security shutters with a warranty of up to 7 years, specified by Duncan Kane with 20+ years of experience and fitted by a team still installing every day, from Plettenberg Bay to George.

Security Shutters vs Burglar Bars