The most effective fix for an unprotected sidelight is a custom-made security screen or mesh panel fitted directly to that glass pane, built to Australian Standard AS 5039 and professionally installed to AS 5041. Ask any installer for proof of both before you sign anything, along with an on-site measurement and quote. A well-made screen can be finished to match your door and frame, so the upgrade protects the entrance without changing how it looks.
TL;DR:
- Retrofit screens suit square frames in good condition; replace the full frame when joinery is worn, out of square, or too shallow for receiver channels.
- Ask for written proof of AS 5039 compliance and AS 5041 installation testing, plus a three point lock and fixed or welded hinge pins.
- CHOICE says an aluminium door priced around $250 to $350 is often insect grade, so compliant custom work costs well above that range.
- Stainless mesh preserves the view, while decorative grilles signal protection; coastal homes need finishes that withstand salt and more frequent cleaning.
Table of Contents
- Practical options for securing a sidelight
- Materials and finishes that balance security with appearance
- Certifications, locks and hardware to insist on
- Costs and timeline for custom sidelight screens
- Measurement and installation: why precision matters
- Visibility, airflow and maintenance for a lasting look
- How we approach sidelight security at Eastern Security Doors
- Book a free on-site consultation for your sidelight
- FAQ
- Sources
- Trusted sources for standards and independent guidance
Practical options for securing a sidelight
Sidelights get overlooked because homeowners focus on the main door, but a fixed glass panel beside the entry is often the easier target unless it carries its own protection. Treating the sidelight as part of the entrance system, not an afterthought, closes that gap.
Three approaches cover most homes:
- Custom security panels in stainless steel mesh or perforated aluminium sit over the glass and keep the sightline largely intact while adding a physical barrier.
- Decorative steel grilles sit visibly over the glazing and work as a strong deterrent, since they signal protection before anyone tries to force entry.
- Glazing upgrades pair laminated or toughened glass with an internal fixed screen, giving a subtler look for homeowners who want minimal visual change.
Which one suits your home often comes down to the frame. A retrofit, where the new screen fits inside the existing reveal, works well when the frame is square and in good condition. A full-frame replacement makes more sense when the existing joinery is worn, out of square, or too shallow to hold a receiver channel at the depth a compliant screen needs. Our perforated aluminium screen checklist outlines what to check before deciding between the two.
Materials and finishes that balance security with appearance
The material you choose determines how much of the view you keep and how long the finish lasts. Each option trades off differently between protection, cost and visual weight.
- Stainless steel woven mesh keeps sightlines close to invisible from inside and resists corrosion well, which makes it a common choice for street-facing entrances.
- Perforated aluminium costs less, has a lighter visual footprint, and comes in a range of powdercoat colours to match existing joinery.
- Steel grilles and decorative motifs carry more visual presence and a stronger deterrent effect, suited to homes where a visible security statement matters more than an unbroken view.
Finish choice affects long-term upkeep as much as looks. Powdercoated aluminium and anodised finishes both hold up well, but homes near the coast need closer attention to salt exposure regardless of material.
Pro Tip: Ask to see a finish sample against your existing door colour before ordering, since powdercoat batches can vary slightly between suppliers.
Certifications, locks and hardware to insist on
A screen marketed as a “security door” only earns that label if it carries evidence of compliance. CHOICE warns that the term is used loosely in the market, and that some products sold this way are closer to insect screens than genuine security products.
Before agreeing to any quote, ask for:
- Written confirmation the product meets AS 5039, the Australian Standard covering security screen performance.
- Evidence the installation itself was tested to AS 5041, since a compliant product fitted incorrectly loses its protective value.
- A three-point locking system rather than a single-point lock, so attack force spreads across three fixing points instead of one.
- Fixed or welded hinge pins, ideally across at least three hinges, to prevent the door being levered off its frame.
CHOICE’s guidance makes the point directly: a product labelled a security screen door only delivers real security when it explicitly states AS 5039 compliance, and marketing claims without that evidence mean little.
Costs and timeline for custom sidelight screens
Budget expectations vary by material, but there’s a useful rule of thumb: if a quote looks far cheaper than everything else you’ve seen, it’s worth asking what standard it meets. A basic aluminium infill sits at the lower end of the market, stainless mesh panels cost more because of the material and labour involved, and decorative steel grilles with custom motifs sit highest due to fabrication time. CHOICE notes that a cheap aluminium door priced around $250 to $350 is often only an insect screen rather than a compliant security product, so genuine AS-compliant custom work starts well above that range.
Timeline follows a predictable sequence:
- An on-site measure and quote, usually booked within days of enquiry.
- Manufacturing lead time, which depends on material and finish.
- Installation, generally completed in a single visit once the panel is ready.
Sidelight shape, frame condition and finish choice are the main factors that shift both price and schedule.
Measurement and installation: why precision matters
A sidelight screen that’s out by even a few millimetres can leave a leverage gap, which defeats the purpose of fitting it in the first place. Getting this right starts well before installation day.
- The installer measures the reveal depth, frame squareness and jamb condition on-site, since no two entrances are identical.
- Lock alignment is checked against the frame to confirm the three-point mechanism will engage cleanly at top, middle and bottom.
- The receiver channel is set to the depth the screen needs, and corners are reinforced, often welded, to meet impact resistance requirements.
- A decision is made on retrofit versus full-frame replacement, based on what the first three steps reveal about the existing joinery.
Our guide to getting a compliant security door walks through these checks in more detail for readers planning ahead of a quote.
Visibility, airflow and maintenance for a lasting look
Mesh aperture and pattern decide how much daylight and view you keep, and finer weaves also limit how much can be seen into the home at night. Our piece on security screen visibility covers how to balance that against privacy.
- Stainless steel mesh needs an occasional wipe-down to clear dust and salt buildup, more frequently in coastal areas.
- Aluminium and steel finishes hold up well with routine cleaning but benefit from an annual check of fixings and coating condition.
- Tighter mesh patterns reduce airflow slightly; a coarser weave trades a little insect protection for better ventilation.
- Galvanising, marine-grade stainless and quality powdercoat all extend service life where salt exposure is a factor.
For sidelights with hard-to-reach upper panels, a professional window cleaning service using telescopic poles can keep taller assemblies clear without risking a fall.
How we approach sidelight security at Eastern Security Doors
We treat every sidelight as part of the entrance, not a separate job, because a secured door next to an unprotected glass panel still leaves a way in. Our free on-site consultation lets us assess frame condition and reveal depth before recommending stainless mesh, perforated aluminium or a decorative grille.
The choice usually comes down to what the homeowner values most: stainless mesh when keeping the view matters, a grille when a visible deterrent is the priority. Our security doors range sets out the materials and hardware we build to for every custom order.
— MYBMC
Book a free on-site consultation for your sidelight
Every sidelight screen is built to measure, meaning the finished panel fits the exact reveal rather than a standard size forced into place. That custom approach, backed by AS 5039 and AS 5041 compliance, closes the gap that a fixed glass panel leaves next to a secured door.
A free on-site consultation is a fast way to find out what your entrance needs:
- On-site measurement and written quotes may be provided.
- Screens are custom manufactured to the reveal, not cut from a standard size.
- Turnaround from measure to installation aims to be efficient, and compliance confirmation is provided.
Browse our aluminium security doors for a lighter, cost-effective option, or see our stainless steel security doors range if a visible deterrent suits your entrance better. Get in touch to book your consultation and quote.
FAQ
What’s the difference between a security screen and a standard flyscreen?
A security screen is built to resist forced entry and should carry proof of compliance with AS 5039, while a standard flyscreen is designed only to keep insects out and offers no real resistance to a break-in attempt. CHOICE warns that some products marketed as security screens are actually insect-grade screens without the testing to back the claim.
What should I budget for a compliant sidelight screen?
Pricing depends on material and finish, with aluminium infill at the lower end and stainless mesh or decorative grilles costing more due to materials and fabrication time. A cheap aluminium door around $250 to $350 is typically only insect-grade, so genuine AS-compliant custom work starts well above that figure; we provide an exact quote after a free on-site measure.
What is a triple lock door?
A triple lock, more commonly called a three-point locking system, engages the frame at three points along the door instead of one, spreading any force applied during a forced-entry attempt. This makes the door significantly harder to pry open than a single-point lock, and it’s a feature worth confirming on any security screen you’re quoted.
What is a screen door that you can’t see through?
This usually describes a decorative steel grille or a tightly woven mesh panel, both of which limit visibility from outside while still allowing some airflow and light through. The trade-off is that a finer weave or solid-looking grille can reduce the view from inside too, so it’s worth weighing privacy against outlook before choosing a pattern.
Trusted sources for standards and independent guidance
For independent buying advice, see the CHOICE security screen door guide. For material and finish detail, see our stainless steel security mesh page.