Security for South African homes that still feel like home
Security in South Africa is not a nice-to-have. It is sleeping safely, keeping wildlife out of your kitchen, ventilating at night without fear and protecting your family without turning your home into a fortress. Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ helps you layer shutters, screens, safety bars and latches so your home feels open and secure at the same time.
Why home security feels different in South Africa
South African homes live with a unique set of pressures. There is crime to consider, but also coastal weather, estates with strict rules, baboons and monkeys in certain areas and the reality of loadshedding when doors and windows need to stand open for air. Security here is not just about putting bars on every opening. It is about designing protection that fits how you live.
- You want to sleep without worrying about open windows or sliding doors
- You need airflow for comfort and health, especially during loadshedding
- You want to keep children, pets and valuables safe
- You might live near wildlife where baboons and monkeys damage property
- You do not want bulky burglar bars that make your home feel like a cage
- Your estate or sectional title has aesthetic guidelines to follow
- You have a holiday home that stands empty for weeks at a time
Good security respects all of this. It protects you quietly in the background while your home still feels light, livable and welcoming.
Four ways we think about security with you
We look at how different systems can support each other around your home. Shutters, screens, bars and latches each solve a slightly different problem. Together they create real peace of mind.
Security shutters — strength, privacy and light control in one
Aluminium security shutters have become one of the most trusted ways to secure South African homes. They give a high level of protection with a clean, modern look and replace the need for separate burglar bars, security gates and heavy curtains in many openings.
Panels lock into position, making it difficult to force open from the outside, while adjustable louvres let you balance privacy, airflow and light during the day.
- Strong aluminium construction for doors, sliders and windows
- Lockable systems that help resist forced entry
- Adjustable louvres for privacy and light control
- Suitable for coastal conditions with the right finishes
- Neat appearance that works in estates and modern homes
Security shutters are often the backbone of a home security plan, especially on sliding doors, stacker doors and vulnerable bedroom or lounge openings.
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Security screens — airflow and views with discreet protection
Security screens use high-strength mesh and frames to create a barrier that is difficult to cut or force, while still allowing air and light to pass through. They are designed for clients who want to keep windows and doors open without feeling exposed.
These systems work well in coastal areas where homes heat up quickly and ventilation is essential, but where insects, monkeys or intruders are a concern. Screens are also a good option in estates and sectional title complexes that do not allow heavy burglar bars.
- High-strength mesh and frames for added resistance
- Allows cross ventilation while keeping insects and intruders out
- Low visual impact compared to traditional bars and gates
- Can be used on doors, sliders and selected window types
When combined with shutters or safety bars in key locations, security screens help create a home that breathes without being vulnerable.
Safety bars and baboon bars — practical protection for real risks
In parts of the Garden Route and other regions, safety is not only about people. Baboons and monkeys can cause significant damage if they gain access to kitchens, pantries and entertainment areas. At the same time, you still need protection against break-ins.
Our safety bars are designed with this in mind. They are engineered to keep wildlife and intruders out while aiming for a cleaner, more considered look than many heavy burglar bar systems. The goal is robust protection that does not dominate your architecture.
- Helps prevent baboons and monkeys from entering your home
- Provides a physical barrier against opportunistic break-ins
- Designed with coastal durability and low maintenance in mind
- Can be used on windows, certain doors and service areas
Safety bars are often used together with shutters or screens so that each opening gets the level of protection it needs without over or under securing the space.
Safety latches — secure ventilation and simple everyday protection
Not every opening needs a full shutter or bar system. LockLatch safety latches create a controlled gap so you can leave windows or doors slightly open without allowing easy access. They are a simple, effective way to add security to everyday living.
These solutions are often used on bedroom windows, passage windows, kitchen hatches and sliding doors where you want fresh air, but not the risk of someone or something entering while you are asleep or away.
- Helps secure night-time or daytime ventilation
- Useful for child safety and pet safety at windows and doors
- Can assist in deterring baboons and opportunistic intruders
- Relatively quick to install and integrate with existing openings
Safety latches are rarely a full solution on their own, but they are a valuable layer in a multi-point security plan for many South African homes.
Security during loadshedding
When power goes out, alarm systems may go down or switch to limited battery backup. Air conditioning stops. The house heats up. You need windows and doors open for airflow, but leaving them unsecured feels risky.
This is where layered security earns its value. Security screens on key windows let air flow freely without creating entry points. LockLatch on sliding doors lets you ventilate with the door locked in a partially open position. Shutters on ground-floor openings can stay closed and louvred for airflow while maintaining a physical barrier.
A security plan that depends entirely on your alarm is a plan that fails during loadshedding. Physical barriers — shutters, screens, latches — work whether the power is on or not.
Holiday homes and second properties
The Garden Route, Plettenberg Bay, Knysna and the wider coastal region are full of holiday homes that stand empty for weeks or months at a time. Empty homes attract opportunistic crime, weather damage and wildlife intrusion.
Security shutters are particularly effective here. When closed and locked, they create a visible deterrent, protect windows from storm damage and prevent baboons from accessing the property. Combined with automated blinds set on timers, the home looks occupied even when you are away.
For holiday let properties and Airbnb rentals, security screens and LockLatch give guests the ability to ventilate safely without you worrying about key security or complex alarm instructions.
Estate and sectional title living
Body corporates and homeowners’ associations often restrict the use of traditional burglar bars, security gates and visible security hardware. The aesthetic guidelines are there for good reason, but they leave homeowners needing security solutions that meet the rules without compromising protection.
Aluminium security shutters in powder-coated finishes sit flush and look like part of the architecture. Security screens are virtually invisible from a few metres away. Neither triggers the objections that heavy bars and gates typically do.
If you live in an estate or complex, we can supply specification documents and product images to help with your body corporate application.
Commercial and hospitality security
Restaurants, B&Bs, guest houses and retail spaces need security that does not make customers feel uncomfortable. Aluminium shutters secure shop fronts and patio areas overnight without the prison-bar appearance. Security screens on kitchen and service areas keep staff ventilated and safe.
For hospitality properties along the Garden Route, fly screens and security screens on guest room windows let visitors sleep with windows open — something guests consistently value in reviews.
Security across South African regions
Security needs differ by region, and the right product mix changes accordingly.
Along the Garden Route and coastal areas, the combination of wildlife (baboons in Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, Sedgefield), salt air corrosion and holiday home vacancy makes layered security essential. Aluminium shutters, baboon bars and Corner Star security screens are the most common starting points.
In Gauteng and suburban areas, the primary concern is break-ins through sliding doors and windows. Security shutters on ground-floor sliders, LockLatch on bedroom windows and security screens on service areas create a strong first layer without turning the home into a fortress.
In KwaZulu-Natal, humidity and heat make ventilation non-negotiable. Security screens that allow airflow while keeping monkeys and intruders out are often the starting point, supplemented by LockLatch on doors.
Security connects to every part of your home
Security products rarely work in isolation. The shutters that protect your home also provide privacy and light control. The outdoor blinds that protect against weather also screen your patio from view. The shade structures that cover your vehicles also deter opportunistic theft.
This is why one consultation with Custom Blinds covers everything. We look at security, privacy, shade and weather protection together — because in most homes, the same products solve multiple problems. Nobody else in South Africa offers blinds, shutters, awnings, outdoor blinds, security screens and automation under one roof.
Why work with Custom Blinds for home security
Custom Blinds Shutters & Awnings™ has worked along the Garden Route and beyond for more than 15 years, installing blinds, shutters, awnings, safety bars and outdoor systems in homes that face real South African conditions.
- Experience with coastal weather, salt air and wildlife pressures
- Solutions that balance security with light, airflow and privacy
- Attention to estate guidelines and architectural style
- Design, supply and installation managed as one process
- Support and guidance if you are unsure where to start
Our goal is not to fill every opening with the heaviest product. It is to help you build a layered plan that feels calm and livable while quietly protecting what matters most.
Guides that help you choose
Ready to talk about security for your home?
If you are unsure whether you need shutters, screens, bars or simple latches, we can talk through your layout and risk points and suggest a sensible starting plan. You are welcome to send photos, measurements or a basic sketch.
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Home Security FAQs
What are the best security solutions for South African homes?
A layered approach works best: aluminium security shutters on sliding doors and vulnerable openings, security screens on windows for ventilation without exposure, safety bars in high-risk areas, and LockLatch on doors and windows for controlled ventilation. Physical barriers work whether the power is on or not — critical during loadshedding.
Do security shutters allow airflow?
Yes. Aluminium security shutters have adjustable louvres that let you control airflow, light, and privacy while maintaining a secure barrier. When louvres are tilted open, air moves through while the shutter remains locked.
How do you keep baboons out of a house?
Safety bars, security screens, and aluminium security shutters are effective baboon deterrents. These physical barriers prevent entry through windows and doors while allowing ventilation and natural light. Essential for Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, and Buffalo Bay properties near baboon habitats.
What security works best for holiday homes?
Security shutters that close and lock when you leave create a visible deterrent, protect windows from storms, and prevent wildlife entry. Combined with automated blinds on timers, the property looks occupied even when empty. LockLatch is ideal for guest-managed holiday lets.
Are security screens approved for estates and body corporates?
Security screens and aluminium shutters in powder-coated finishes are typically approved by body corporates because they sit flush and look architectural. They avoid the objections that traditional burglar bars and security gates attract. We can provide specification documents for your body corporate application.
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