What three problems do security screens solve in Knysna?

Knysna is not Johannesburg. The security challenges here are specific to how this town lives: close to the forest, on the lagoon, with wildlife that treats your kitchen as a buffet and a climate that demands open windows for comfort.

Baboons and wildlife

The Knysna baboon troops are intelligent, persistent, and destructive. A standard fly screen will not stop a determined baboon. They tear fibreglass mesh, bend lightweight frames, and learn which homes are easy targets. Security grade stainless steel mesh is the only reliable deterrent. The 0.9mm interwoven wire resists tearing, cutting, and prying. The aluminium frames are reinforced with a patented cornering system that holds under sustained force. Anti-lift locking pins prevent the screen from being levered out of its track.

This is not theoretical. We install these screens across Knysna Heights, Pezula, Simola, Belvidere, and The Heads, all areas where baboon troops are active. Homeowners in these suburbs know the difference between a fly screen and a security screen. The fly screen is a suggestion. The security screen is a boundary.

Break-in protection

Security screens are primarily designed as an intrusion barrier. The SS316 stainless steel mesh resists cutting, slashing, and impact. The multi-point locking system secures the screen at multiple positions along the frame. Optional alarm sensors connect to your existing security system and trigger if the screen is tampered with. From the outside, the screen looks almost invisible. From the inside, your view stays clear. But the barrier is real. It replaces burglar bars, security gates, and the visual weight they impose on a home.

Insects without closing up

The security mesh doubles as a fine insect screen. Mosquitoes, flies, sand midges, and the small crawling insects that Knysna’s forest proximity produces are all blocked. This means you can leave doors and windows open from dusk to dawn without the buzzing, biting, and spraying that comes with a home that has no barrier. Bedrooms stay ventilated. Kitchens breathe while you cook. Braai smoke drifts out instead of filling the room.

What makes security screens different from standard fly screens?

Not all security screens are equal. The screens we install are manufactured to an international security standard using materials specifically selected for coastal conditions.

The mesh

SS316 marine grade stainless steel, interwoven at 0.9mm wire thickness. This is the internationally recognised standard for premium security screen mesh. It resists corrosion in salt air, holds its structure under impact, and does not degrade under sustained UV. The mesh is black powder coated for visibility (black recedes visually, making the mesh near invisible from inside) and for additional corrosion protection.

The frame

Architecturally designed aluminium extrusions with a patented cornering system. The three-channel extrusion allows custom configurations for any opening type: standard windows, sliding doors, stacking sliders, bifold doors, and fixed panels. The frame is pre-treated and powder coated in a range of colours to match your existing window frames. White, charcoal, and bronze are the most requested finishes in Knysna.

The fastening

The mesh is secured into the frame using a combination of mechanical and chemical bonding. This dual system prevents the mesh from being pulled out of the frame under force, which is the failure point on cheaper security screens that rely on rubber gaskets or clips alone.

The locking

Multiple locking options depending on the application. Slam locks for convenience on frequently used doors. Dead locks for maximum security on windows and doors that need to be secured when the home is unoccupied. Three-point locking systems for the highest security rating. All locks include anti-lift pins that prevent the screen from being levered upward out of its track.

Which Knysna areas does Custom Blinds cover for security screens?

Knysna Heights, Pezula, and Simola

The baboon hotspots. Properties adjacent to the indigenous forest and along the ridgeline are the most frequently targeted by baboon troops. Security screens on all accessible windows and doors are the recommended standard for these areas. Estate architectural guidelines in Pezula and Simola favour security screens over burglar bars because the near invisible mesh profile preserves the building’s appearance. We provide specification drawings for estate approval where required.

Thesen Island and Leisure Isle

Waterfront properties where salt exposure is highest and the desire for open, unobstructed views is strongest. Security screens replace the visual bulk of burglar bars with a near invisible barrier. The SS316 marine grade specification is essential at this proximity to the water. Many Thesen Island and Leisure Isle homeowners combine security screens on windows with aluminium security shutters on doors for a layered security approach.

The Heads and Brenton on Sea

Extreme coastal exposure. Wind, salt, UV, and isolation. Properties at The Heads are among the most exposed on the Garden Route. Every component must be marine grade. Security screens here serve triple duty: intruder deterrent, baboon barrier, and insect protection on homes where opening a window to the ocean breeze is the entire point of the location.

Belvidere and Brenton on Lake

A mix of permanent residents and holiday homes set among indigenous bush. Baboon activity is common. Holiday homeowners need security while the property is unoccupied, plus insect protection for when guests arrive and want to open up the house. Security screens provide both from a single installation.

Central Knysna and Old Place

Residential properties and guest houses where security and insect management are both practical concerns. For B&Bs and guest houses, security screens allow guest rooms to ventilate overnight without mosquito bites or security risk, a combination that guests consistently value in reviews.

How do security screens compare to security shutters?

We install both security shutters and security screens in Knysna. They solve different aspects of the same problem.

Security shutters are louvred aluminium panels that lock, tilt for light and ventilation, and fold completely out of the way when open. They provide the strongest physical barrier and double as light control and privacy management. They are visible and architectural.

Security screens are near invisible mesh barriers that provide security, insect protection, and UV filtering while keeping your views completely open. They do not offer the light control or privacy management of shutters. They are unobtrusive and functional.

Many Knysna homeowners install both. Security shutters on ground floor doors and primary entry points for maximum physical protection. Security screens on upper windows, bedroom windows, and any opening where you want unobstructed views with passive security and insect protection. Duncan assesses your property and recommends the right combination during the site visit.

What maintenance do security screens need in Knysna’s coastal climate?

Security screens are low maintenance but not zero maintenance in coastal conditions. Salt builds up on surfaces, particularly during periods of strong onshore wind. A simple routine keeps the screens performing and looking right for years.

Rinse the mesh and frames with fresh water monthly. More frequently if the property is within direct salt spray range (Thesen Island, The Heads, Brenton). Use mild soapy water and a soft cloth for any stubborn buildup. Avoid harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners. Check locks, corner joints, and fixings twice a year and after storms. This 10 minute routine protects the powder coat finish and ensures the locking mechanisms stay smooth.

The mesh itself can be replaced without changing the frame if it is ever damaged. This modular design means a single incident (tree branch in a storm, for example) does not require a full replacement.