Security Screens for French Doors: Options, Benefits, and What To Consider
French doors are one of the most popular architectural features in Wollongong and Illawarra homes. They let in light, open up a space, and create a seamless connection between indoors and out. The problem is that most French doors come with a trade-off: open them up and you invite in flies, mosquitoes, and unwanted visitors along with the breeze.
The good news is you do not have to choose between airflow and security. Security screens designed specifically for French doors give you the best of both worlds, keeping your home open, bright, and protected all year round.
In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about security screens for French doors: the different options available, the key benefits, what to look for, and how to choose the right solution for your home.
What makes French doors different to screen?
Standard hinged doors are straightforward to screen. French doors are a different story. They typically open as a pair, which means any screen solution needs to account for two moving panels, a centre meeting point, and the sightlines you want to preserve. There are a few different approaches, and the right one depends on your doors, your home, and how you use the space.
Hinged security screen doors
Hinged screens are a popular solution for French doors. Each panel of your French doors gets its own matching hinged screen door, mounted to the same frame. They open and close independently, just like the doors behind them.
This setup works well because it mirrors the way you already use your French doors. Open one side for everyday use, or throw both open when you need the full width. A good quality hinged screen will use a stainless steel mesh with a heavy-duty frame and a solid latch at the centre where the two panels meet.
One of the most popular hinged options at Bayside is Amplimesh SupaScreen. It uses a marine-grade 316 stainless steel mesh held in the frame with a patented pressure-fit system, so there are no visible screws or fixings, and it is independently tested against fire, blades, UV exposure, and cyclonic missile impacts.
If you want a more decorative finish for your French doors, Colonial Castings is also worth a look. It brings a traditional, ornamental look to hinged security screens, available in French door and bi-parting configurations.
Retractable French door screens
Retractable screens are a popular choice for homeowners who want a screen that disappears when it is not in use. The mesh rolls away into a slim housing mounted to the side of the door frame, so when you close the doors you simply cannot see the screen at all.
Bayside's retractable screens are designed for multi-panel French doors, whether they swing in, swing out, bi-fold, or stack. Slip pins let you temporarily fix one door open for single-entry use, so you are not always wrestling with both panels just to step outside. This makes them a flexible option for French doors that open onto an entertaining area or alfresco, where you want the view to remain unobstructed when the doors are closed.
It is worth knowing that retractable screens are not designed to be a security product. They provide excellent insect protection and airflow, but if security is your main concern, a hinged screen is the better choice.
What are the benefits of security screens on French doors?
Airflow without the insects
This is the big one. French doors are designed to open a room up, but without a screen you are at the mercy of whatever flies, mosquitoes, or bugs happen to be around. A good security screen lets you run a cross-breeze through the house all summer without a single uninvited guest making it inside.
A meaningful layer of security
A quality security screen adds a real barrier between your home and the outside. Our Amplimesh SupaScreen security doors are tested and certified to Australian Standard AS5039, which covers knife shear, anti-jemmy, impact, pull, and dynamic impact resistance. SupaScreen is also independently tested against fire, UV exposure, and cyclonic missile impacts. Even when your French doors are open on a warm evening, your screen is holding the line.
Year-round use
Wollongong summers are warm and humid. Having a screen on your French doors means you can leave them open through the evening without worrying about insects or security, which makes a genuine difference to how comfortable your home feels.
Keeping the look you love
Modern security screens are designed to complement your doors, not fight with them. Our Amplimesh security door range comes in standard powdercoat colours including Primrose, Manor Red, Paperbark, Black, Blue, and Decowood timber look, so your screen can be matched to your door frames, your trim, or your home's exterior palette. Custom colour matching is available on request. Done well, they look like they were always meant to be there.
What to consider before you buy
Security rating
If security is important to you, look for products that are tested and certified to AS5039. This is the Australian Standard for security screen doors and windows, and it covers knife shear, anti-jemmy, impact, pull, and dynamic impact resistance. At Bayside, our Amplimesh SupaScreen range meets this standard.
Mesh type
The mesh is where most of the difference between products lies. SupaScreen uses a fine, woven 316 marine-grade stainless steel mesh with a 41 percent airflow rating, which will outperform a basic fibreglass insect mesh on strength, longevity, and resistance to corrosion. Given how close Wollongong is to the coast, this matters more than it might seem.
The centre join
On a double hinged screen, the point where the two panels meet in the middle is the most important detail to get right. A solid, well-engineered latch and a tight centre seal will stop insects from finding their way through the gap and give you a more secure result overall.
Frame quality and finish
Look for heavy-gauge aluminium frames with a quality powdercoat finish. Thin frames flex, and a poor finish will chalk and peel in a few years, especially in a coastal climate. A well-made frame should feel solid and close with a firm, satisfying action.
Warranty
A quality security screen is an investment, so check what is backing it. Our Amplimesh SupaScreen comes with a 16-year warranty, so a well-made screen lasts well over a decade with minimal maintenance.
Professional measurement and installation
French doors are rarely perfectly square, and the tolerances on a good security screen are tight. Having your screens professionally measured and installed makes a big difference to how they look, how they operate, and how long they last. Our team at Bayside measures every job on site before anything goes into production.
Why choose Bayside for your French door security screens in Wollongong?
At Bayside Security Doors and Blinds, we have been helping families across Wollongong and the Illawarra secure their homes since 1989. We supply and install a full range of security screen doors and windows, alongside our interior blinds and window treatment products.
We hold a Master Security Licence (410068622) and are members of NSSA and ASIAL. Our Amplimesh SupaScreen security doors are tested and certified to Australian Standard AS5039. Every job comes with a workmanship guarantee, and we start with a free, no-obligation measure and quote at your home.
Book a free measure & quote
Call (02) 4271 1955 or book through our contact form. We will visit your home, walk you through the options, and leave you with a written quote on the spot. No obligation, no charge.
Call Now: (02) 4271 1955
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes, you can. There are several options designed specifically for French doors, including double hinged screen doors and retractable screens. The right choice depends on how you use your doors and how much security you need. Our team can walk you through the options during a free measure and quote.
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For maximum security, a pair of hinged Amplimesh SupaScreen doors, certified to Australian Standard AS5039, is the strongest option. If you want a screen that disappears when not in use and insect protection is the main goal, a retractable double screen is the better choice.
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Retractable screens are designed primarily for insect protection and airflow, not security. If you need a product that can withstand forced entry attempts, a hinged screen tested to AS5039 is the right choice.
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Yes. Our Amplimesh security door range comes in standard powdercoat colours including Primrose, Manor Red, Paperbark, Black, Blue, and Decowood timber look. Custom colour matching is available on request, and we can walk you through the options during your free measure and quote.
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A well-made, properly fitted security screen should complement your French doors rather than detract from them. Modern frames are slim and the mesh is fine enough that it does not significantly obstruct your view or the light coming in.
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A quality security screen with a heavy-gauge aluminium frame and stainless steel mesh should last well over a decade with minimal maintenance. Our Amplimesh SupaScreen comes with a 16-year warranty. In a coastal area like Wollongong, choosing a product with a good quality powdercoat finish and corrosion-resistant mesh is important for longevity.
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Retractable screens are a great option for French doors, particularly where you want the screen to disappear completely when it is not in use. The mesh retracts into a slim side housing when not in use, so your view and the look of your doors are unaffected when the screens are rolled away. Bayside's retractable screens suit multi-panel doors that swing in, swing out, bi-fold, or stack, and slip pins let you fix one door open for single-entry use. Just keep in mind that retractable screens are designed for insect protection, not security. If you need a product that can withstand forced entry, a hinged security screen is the better choice.