If you’re choosing a security screen to keep your family and your property safe, it’s important not to forget that security is the critical element. While there are many security screens on the market that provide somewhat effective security, many have serious vulnerabilities that leave your home at risk of a break-in.
Today, we’re going to compare the 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh that’s used by Invisi-Gard – which is what we install – with the 304 stainless steel mesh used by other suppliers and answer the question: which is better?
Invisi-gard Offers Superior Security
Obviously, we choose to work with Invisi-Gard mesh because it’s better. But that’s not just talk: it really does offer a number of security benefits that other mesh doesn’t.
Grade 316 Stainless Steel Vs Grade 304 Stainless Steel
Invisi-Gard uses grade 316 stainless steel whereas other screens uses grade 304 stainless steel. Both of these are kinds of austenitic steel that are commonly used in mesh security screens, but grade 316 stainless steel offers high corrosion resistance than grade 304 steel. Corrosion resistance is fundamental to security screens, which must remain strong throughout years of wind and rain. Security screens that have been corroded by weather are weak and vulnerable to break-ins.
Grade 316 steel is also stronger than grade 304 stainless steel, a factor that other manufacturers may try to mitigate by using thicker strands of steel. However, when measuring tensile strength, even a 0.8mm Invisi-Gard 316 steel stand can withstand higher pressure than a 0.9mm strand of 304-grade steel with lower tensile strength.
Putting Our Words To The Test
The purpose of your security screen can be important in narrowing down your options. For instance, iIf you’re in need of further proof that Invisi-Gard steel security screens are stronger than other screens, let’s take a look at the results of two standard tests that are often used to rate security screens. In the Australia Standard test designed to measure steel mesh strength, known as AS5041-2008 for Knife-Shear, security screens are tested in terms of how they would perform against a knife attack. Invisi-Gard mesh screens pass the knife test in both horizontal and vertical directions, where many competitors fail.
The second test is The Neutral Salt Spray Test or Australian Standard AS2331.3.1. This test compares the relative corrosion resistance of different security systems, testing whether a screen can resist 240 hours of salt spray exposure with no corrosion. Invisi-Gard mesh screens last over 2000 hours with no signs of corrosion, well above that of many competitors and making Invisi-Gard security screens the clear superior choice for anyone who lives by the coast.
Invisi-gard Vs Alternative Mesh Screens: The Verdict
While the 304-grade stainless steel used to make alternative screens more affordable, that doesn’t make it the better choice. In fact, it’s cheaper because it lacks many of the qualities that mean that Invisi-Gard stainless steel mesh security screens will guard your home against all kinds of attacks and break-ins for years.
If you’re looking for security screens for your home or business that are proven to offer superior security when compared to other screens on the market, get in touch with our team at Alpha Screens to discuss our Invisi-Gard security screens and installation today.