Fly, insect and security screens, measured and fitted on the coast

Fly, insect and security screens, and how they differ

Three screen categories solve three different problems. Fly and insect screens block bugs while keeping airflow. Security screens add a physical barrier against break-ins and baboons. The frames look nearly identical from a distance, but the mesh and the fixings are engineered for very different loads. Specifying the right one depends on the problem you are actually trying to solve.

Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings is a partner of Corner Star, the South African screen manufacturer. Every Custom Blinds screen installation uses Corner Star product, measured to your exact opening, manufactured and then fitted by the local installation team across the Garden Route.

Insect screens, the Corner Star range installed across the Garden Route

Insect screens are the most common install. The goal is simple: open the window or door without insects coming in. The mesh is fine enough to block mosquitoes, flies, moths and gnats while still letting air and light through. Corner Star supplies five configurations and Custom Blinds installs all of them.

Full insect screen detail is on the insect screens page. For the manufacturer background see Corner Star.

Security screens and how they compare to burglar bars

Corner Star security screens give the visual clarity of a standard screen and the physical resistance of a security barrier in one product. The mesh is 316 stainless steel, the grade specified for marine environments because it does not rust in salt air. The frame is reinforced aluminium, powder-coated to match your joinery. From inside and outside the screen looks clean. From the outside, it stops someone pushing, kicking or cutting their way in.

Compared to burglar bars, security screens add airflow, preserve the view, and do not draw attention to the fact that a property is being secured. That matters for holiday homes and guest houses where the visual experience of the stay is part of the value. For Garden Route homes in baboon-active areas the security screen is also the practical solution for keeping baboons out, since the reinforced frames and fixings are much harder to lift or tamper with than a standard insect screen.

For the full security specification, including hinged and sliding configurations for doors, see security screens. For the Corner Star security screen backstory see the Corner Star security screens guide.

Which screen materials survive Garden Route coastal conditions?

Coastal specification is the real design rule on the Garden Route. Salt air corrodes anything that was not made for it. Mild steel rusts inside a season. Generic imported mesh fades and tears in the UV. Corner Star product is engineered for this environment, which is why Custom Blinds specifies it across the full range.

The mesh on security screens is 316 stainless steel, the marine grade used for boat hardware and yacht fittings. It does not rust in salt spray. The mesh on insect screens is aluminium or coated fibreglass, both UV stable and corrosion resistant. The frames across both categories are powder-coated aluminium, a finish that handles Knysna lagoon humidity, Plettenberg Bay salt exposure, and Buffalo Bay direct coastal spray without degrading.

With proper installation, Corner Star screens last many years in wind, salt air and humidity. Homeowners should expect to rinse frames and mesh periodically with fresh water to remove salt deposits, and to check fixings seasonally. Beyond that the product is maintenance-light.

How the screen site visit and installation process works

Every screen job follows the same four-step pattern. The only variables are the type of screen you choose and how many openings the installation covers.

Step 1. Free site visit

Duncan comes to your property, looks at each window or door, discusses which screen type is the right specification, and takes the initial measurements. The site visit is free and there is no obligation to order. Most Garden Route addresses get a visit within a week of the WhatsApp enquiry.

Step 2. Quote and confirmation

You receive a written quote covering screen type, mesh specification, frame colour, and installation scope. Screens can be colour matched to existing window frames using Corner Star's powder-coating options. The quote includes the Custom Fit Guarantee.

Step 3. Manufacture by Corner Star

Corner Star manufactures each screen to the exact measurements taken on the site visit. Lead time is typically 2 to 4 weeks depending on the order size and the configurations specified. Large custom orders for holiday homes or guest houses may take slightly longer.

Step 4. Installation by Custom Blinds

The Custom Blinds team installs the screens on site, tests every operation (sliding, hinging, magnetic closure), and walks you through any maintenance steps. Installation is typically a single day for a whole-house screen package. The site is left clean before the team leaves.

Which Garden Route towns does Custom Blinds cover?

Screens are installed across the entire Custom Blinds service area. Baboon-active zones (Pezula, Knysna Heads, Belvidere, parts of George and Plett) see higher demand for reinforced security-grade screens, while coastal exposure drives the marine-grade specification everywhere.