Aluminium security shutters for Garden Route homes
Leave your windows open. Let the breeze through the house. Walk away knowing everything is locked, louvred and secure without a burglar bar in sight.
What are aluminium security shutters and how do they replace burglar bars?
- Aluminium security shutters are louvred panels made from architectural grade aluminium with a 4 pin key lock system, stainless steel double locking pins and louvre locks. They replace burglar bars with a product that secures, ventilates and controls light.
- Louvres tilt in both directions for airflow and privacy while locked. When unlocked, panels fold, slide or hinge aside to open the window completely.
- Custom Blinds supplies and installs security shutters across the Garden Route with an 8 year warranty and over 2,000 installations since 2010. Powder coated aluminium resists salt air, UV and moisture without rusting.
- Available in 6 colours including satin white, matt charcoal, matt black, stone and bronze. Hinged, bifold or sliding configurations for windows, doors, patios and commercial openings.
Garden Route homes: WhatsApp Duncan for a free site visit, or explore all shutter options.
Burglar bars send a message: this house needs protecting. Security shutters send a different one. This home is designed, finished, and quietly impenetrable.
How do aluminium security shutters provide protection without looking industrial?
From the street, they look like plantation shutters. Up close, they operate like them too: louvres tilt in both directions for light control, privacy and airflow. But behind the powder coated finish sits a 4 pin key lock system with solid stainless steel double locking pins and dedicated louvre locks. Three layers of security in one product: frame lock, pin lock and louvre lock.
That is the shift Garden Route homeowners are making. Away from bars. Toward shutters that protect the house and add to it. Many of our security shutter installations are exactly that: replacing burglar bars that made homes feel like cages. When closed, the louvres still let air and light through, which fixed burglar bars cannot do. When unlocked, the panels open fully, restoring the window to its original state.
For a detailed comparison, read our guide on security shutters versus burglar bars.
What are the technical specifications of Custom Blinds security shutters?
Where do aluminium security shutters work best on a property?
Windows are the most common application. Full height shutters replace burglar bars while giving adjustable light and ventilation. Lock them when you leave, open the louvres when you are home.
Sliding doors suit bifold or sliding panel configurations that stack neatly when open and lock solidly when closed. Perfect for connecting indoor living to patios and decks on Garden Route properties where open plan living is standard.
Front doors and entrances benefit from the double sided lock option, letting you secure from inside or outside. Patios and outdoor rooms can be enclosed with shutters that handle Garden Route weather and lock down when you are away, often paired with retractable awnings overhead.
Holiday homes on the Garden Route, in Plett, Knysna, Brenton and Wilderness, benefit most. Security shutters provide peace of mind when the property stands empty between visits. They deter opportunistic entry, protect glass from storm debris, and reduce insurance risk.
For commercial properties, shopfront shutters in Knysna town centre and Plett Main Street provide after hours security without the visual deterrent of roller shutters or steel gates. Several Garden Route restaurants use our shutters to extend usable seating area year round.
How do security shutters compare to burglar bars?
| Feature | Aluminium Security Shutters | Traditional Burglar Bars |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Elegant plantation style louvres | Industrial, institutional look |
| Light control | Adjustable louvres tilt in both directions | Fixed, no control |
| Privacy | Full privacy when closed, full view when open | Always visible from outside |
| Ventilation | Open louvres for airflow while locked | Fixed bars allow air but no control |
| Fire safety | Aluminium is fire retardant | Can trap occupants |
| Weather | Waterproof, rust resistant, coastal rated | Steel rusts in coastal environments |
| Property value | Adds value as architectural feature | Can reduce appeal |
“Most people ask for burglar bars. Then I show them how security shutters open, close, lock and ventilate, all from inside the room. They never go back to bars.”
Duncan KaneFounder, Custom Blinds · 20 Years Experience
How are security shutters built for Garden Route coastal conditions?
The Garden Route combination of salt air, high humidity, intense UV and seasonal storms destroys products not designed for it. Steel burglar bars on coastal properties often show visible rust within 2 to 3 years even with galvanising. We have seen bars on Brenton and Leisure Isle properties corrode through completely within 5 years.
The aluminium security shutters we supply and install are engineered specifically for this environment. The aluminium itself does not rust. The powder coating provides a secondary barrier against salt and UV. All hinges, screws and locking hardware use marine grade stainless steel or coated components. After 15 years of coastal installations, we have never had a corrosion related warranty claim. The current range carries an 8 year manufacturer warranty covering louvres, frames, locking hardware and powder coating.
This matters for holiday homes especially. A property left closed for months at a time on the Garden Route coast needs security products that will not deteriorate while you are away. Aluminium security shutters actually protect better when closed, securing the home and shielding windows from weather simultaneously.
What do aluminium security shutters cost on the Garden Route?
Security shutter pricing depends on the size of the opening, the configuration (hinged, bifold or sliding) and whether you choose single sided or double sided locks. Every installation is manufactured to your exact dimensions.
We do not publish prices online because every opening is different. A standard bedroom window costs significantly less than a full width sliding door installation. Security shutters typically cost more per square metre than burglar bars but replace multiple products: you no longer need separate burglar bars, curtains and blinds. Over the lifetime of the product, many homeowners find the total cost is comparable.
Duncan provides detailed, itemised quotes after a site visit. No deposits, no obligation, no pressure. WhatsApp Duncan for a free quote.
Do insurance companies recognise aluminium security shutters?
Most South African short term insurers recognise aluminium security shutters as a legitimate security barrier. Some insurers offer reduced premiums when shutters with certified locking systems are installed on all accessible openings. We recommend confirming with your insurer before installation. We can provide product specifications and installation certificates to support your claim.
Estate agents on the Garden Route report that homes with quality shutters are viewed as more desirable than homes with burglar bars. Buyers see shutters as a premium upgrade that adds to resale value, while burglar bars are often the first thing new owners want to remove.
Which Garden Route areas does Custom Blinds install security shutters?
Custom Blinds supplies and installs aluminium security shutters across the Garden Route from Mossel Bay to Plettenberg Bay. Each location presents different security considerations and environmental conditions.
Knysna homes, particularly Thesen Island, Leisure Isle and the Heads, combine security needs with direct lagoon humidity and salt laden wind. Plettenberg Bay properties, especially along Robberg and Beacon Isle, experience the highest wind loading and salt exposure. Holiday homes in Plett are one of the most common applications because the property needs to be secure when unoccupied but welcoming when owners arrive.
Sedgefield, George, Wilderness and Mossel Bay each have distinct requirements. Duncan assesses the specific property rather than applying blanket recommendations by town. For Somfy motorisation options on security shutters, ask during your site visit.
How long does the installation process take?
From site visit to completed installation, expect 3 to 4 weeks. Week 1: Duncan visits your home, measures every opening, assesses wall structure and mounting surfaces, and discusses configuration options. You receive a detailed quote within 48 hours.
Weeks 2 to 3: once approved, your shutters are manufactured to your exact specifications. Each panel is built to your dimensions and powder coated in your chosen colour. Powder coating is applied in your chosen colour.
Weeks 3 to 4: our installation team fits the shutters, sets the locking system, and hands over your keys. A typical home with 6 to 8 openings takes one full day to install. We test every lock, demonstrate the louvre operation and clean up completely.
Holiday homes on the Garden Route can be coordinated around your visit schedule. We often measure on day one and install before you leave. See examples in our shutter installations.
Frequently asked questions about aluminium security shutters
Are aluminium security shutters strong enough to replace burglar bars?
Yes. Our shutters use a 4 pin key lock system with solid stainless steel double locking pins and louvre locks that prevent individual blades from being forced open. The full aluminium frame and hardware are manufactured with international sliding system technology backed by nearly 60 years of engineering. The architectural grade aluminium provides structural integrity across the full opening. Many Garden Route homeowners are removing burglar bars and replacing them with security shutters.
Can I lock security shutters and still have ventilation?
Yes. Lock the shutters with the 4 pin key lock, then tilt the louvres to the angle you want. Air flows through while the panels stay locked in place. This is especially valuable on the Garden Route where you want to keep windows open for the breeze without compromising security.
Will aluminium security shutters rust in a coastal environment?
No. All metal components are rust resistant. The aluminium is powder coated for additional protection against salt air, UV and moisture. Unlike steel burglar bars which corrode in coastal conditions, these shutters are designed to last in exactly this environment.
Can I use one key for all my security shutters?
Yes. We offer a uniform key option so one key operates every shutter in your home. You can also choose double sided locks, which let you lock from inside or outside, particularly useful for patio and entrance applications.
What colours are aluminium security shutters available in?
Six standard colours: Satin White, White Aluminium, Stone, Matt Charcoal, Matt Black and Bronze. All powder coated for salt air and UV resistance. White options have the fastest lead time.
Do you install security shutters on the Garden Route?
We install across the Garden Route: Knysna, Plettenberg Bay, George, Sedgefield, Mossel Bay, Wilderness and surrounding areas. Every job starts with a site visit for accurate measurement and a tailored recommendation.
Can security shutters be fitted to sliding doors?
Yes. Bifold or sliding panel configurations that stack neatly when open and lock solidly when closed. Perfect for Garden Route open plan living where large glass sliders are standard. Duncan measures the exact door configuration during the site visit.
Do security shutters suit holiday homes left unoccupied?
This is one of the most common applications. Holiday homes in Plett, Knysna, Brenton and Wilderness need to be secure when empty and welcoming when owners arrive. Security shutters deter opportunistic entry, protect glass from storm debris, reduce insurance risk and shield windows from weather while the property is closed.
Ready to replace those burglar bars?
Free site visit, measurement and quotation across the Garden Route. No obligation.
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 Custom Lifestyle Awnings™ locally, and supply roller blinds, honeycomb blinds, venetian blinds and no drill blinds nationally via shop.customblinds.co.za. Our Custom Fit Guarantee covers every online order.
Last reviewed: March 2026. All security shutters manufactured to order and quoted individually. Pricing requires on site measurement.
