Windows are often one of the most vulnerable points of a commercial or industrial building. Ground-floor windows, isolated glazing and openings at the rear or side of a property can all provide potential targets for vandalism and attempted break-ins.
There are plenty of ways to improve window security, including roller shutters, security bars and retractable grilles. However, these aren't always necessary or practical.
For some buildings, window security mesh provides a straightforward alternative. A strong steel mesh barrier can remain permanently in position, helping to protect the window and prevent unauthorised access while still allowing natural light, visibility and ventilation.
At Security Direct, we supply made-to-measure Mesh Window Guards for a wide variety of commercial, public and industrial applications. With different mesh patterns, frames, finishes and fixing arrangements available, the system can be adapted to suit both the building and the level of protection required.
What Is Window Security Mesh?
Window security mesh is essentially a steel protective barrier installed across a window or other vulnerable opening.
Unlike a solid roller shutter, it doesn't completely cover the window. Instead, the open mesh construction allows you to see through the barrier and enables air and natural light to continue passing through the opening.
The mesh itself is contained within a steel perimeter frame, creating a strong, permanent window guard. Depending on the building, this can be installed over the face of the opening, within the window reveal or positioned away from the window using a stand-off arrangement.
This makes security mesh particularly useful when the window needs continuous protection but you don't necessarily need a security product that can be opened and closed every day.
Why Use Security Mesh on Windows?
One of the biggest advantages of window security mesh is that it can protect against more than one type of risk.
For example, an externally installed mesh guard creates a physical barrier in front of the glazing. This can help protect the glass against deliberate vandalism as well as accidental impacts.
This can be particularly useful for schools, warehouses, factories, public buildings and commercial premises where windows may be exposed or situated in areas with limited surveillance.
The same physical barrier can also make it much more difficult for someone to gain access through the window.
However, it is important to distinguish between general-purpose security mesh and independently tested high-security mesh. Simply because a mesh panel looks substantial doesn't automatically mean that it has been tested to a recognised security standard.
The required product should therefore be selected according to the actual risk.
Where Can Window Security Mesh Be Used?
One of the reasons we like security mesh is its versatility.
We regularly see applications where a building has a vulnerable window but installing a roller shutter would be unnecessarily complicated. The customer may not need to open and close a security product every day; they simply want a permanent barrier between the window and anyone outside.
A warehouse, for example, may have small ground-floor windows at the rear of the building. A plant room might need permanent ventilation but still require protection against unauthorised access. A school or community building might have glazing that is repeatedly vulnerable to damage.
These are all situations where a fixed mesh window guard can make sense.
Security mesh can also be used on offices, retail premises, industrial buildings, storage areas, sports facilities and public-sector buildings.
Rather than starting with the product, we would always recommend starting with the problem. Are you primarily trying to protect the glass from vandalism, prevent access through the opening, or achieve both?
That helps determine the most appropriate mesh and frame specification.
Different Types of Window Security Mesh
Security mesh doesn't have to mean one particular pattern or appearance. Our Mesh Window Guards can be manufactured using different mesh infills, allowing the amount of visibility and the overall appearance of the guard to be varied.
A square welded mesh, for example, provides a simple and practical appearance and is available with different aperture sizes. A larger aperture generally creates a more open appearance, while a smaller aperture produces a denser barrier.
Diamond mesh offers another option and can provide excellent visibility through the guard while still creating a substantial physical barrier.
For more demanding applications, a much closer high-security or prison mesh can be used. The smaller openings make the panel significantly denser and may be more appropriate for buildings where the risk is greater.
Perforated panels can also be considered where a different visual finish is preferred.
This choice is useful because window security isn't purely about making something as heavy or enclosed as possible. In many buildings, retaining natural light, airflow and visibility is also important.
Can You Still See Through Security Mesh?
Yes, and this is one of the main advantages of choosing mesh rather than a solid security barrier.
The level of visibility depends on the mesh pattern and aperture size, but the open construction means the window doesn't need to disappear behind a completely solid panel.
From a distance, some mesh patterns can also be surprisingly unobtrusive, particularly when the frame and mesh are finished in a colour that complements the building.
This can make security mesh useful where the appearance of the property matters but leaving the glazing completely exposed isn't an option.
Does Window Security Mesh Affect Ventilation?
Because air can pass through the openings in the mesh, security mesh can also be an excellent option where ventilation needs to be maintained.
This is particularly relevant to plant rooms, service areas and industrial buildings where an opening may need to remain ventilated while still being protected.
A solid shutter or panel would restrict airflow considerably more, whereas an appropriately specified mesh can provide a physical barrier without completely closing the opening.
Of course, the exact amount of airflow depends on the mesh specification and the design of the window or opening itself.
Should Security Mesh Be Fitted Inside or Outside?
Window security mesh can be installed either internally or externally, and there are advantages to both approaches.
If vandalism is the main concern, external installation is often particularly useful because the mesh sits between the potential source of damage and the glazing itself. Someone throwing an object or attempting to strike the window first encounters the steel mesh.
Internal installation can be appropriate where external appearance is particularly important or where the building configuration makes an internal installation preferable.
The correct position depends on the property, the type of window and the risk you're trying to address.
For external installations, the finish also becomes important. Appropriate corrosion protection should be considered so that the mesh and frame are suitable for long-term exposure to the weather.
What If the Window Needs to Open?
This is something customers don't always consider until they start looking at the installation.
If a fixed mesh panel is positioned directly in front of an opening window, it could prevent the window from operating correctly.
Fortunately, that doesn't necessarily mean security mesh is unsuitable.
A stand-off installation can position the mesh away from the wall, creating enough space for the window to operate behind it. For some openings, a cage-style arrangement can provide even greater clearance.
There are also situations where occasional access to the window is required for cleaning or maintenance. In these cases, hinged or lift-out mesh panels may be considered instead of a completely fixed guard.
These details are worth discussing at the quotation stage because they can be incorporated into the design rather than trying to work around them afterwards.
Security Mesh vs Window Bars
Security mesh and traditional window bars perform a similar basic function: they create a physical barrier across a vulnerable opening. The difference is in how they do it.
Window bars normally use individual solid steel bars positioned across the opening. Security mesh creates a much closer pattern of steel apertures across the whole window.
That closer pattern can make mesh particularly useful where protecting the glass itself is part of the requirement. A thrown object may still be able to pass between widely spaced window bars, whereas an appropriately selected mesh provides much smaller openings.
Window bars, on the other hand, can provide a very simple and effective solution where the main concern is preventing someone from physically entering through the window.
Neither is automatically the better product. It depends on what you're protecting against.
Security Mesh vs Retractable Security Grilles
The biggest difference between security mesh and a retractable grille is that mesh is normally intended to remain in position.
A retractable grille can be opened and folded away when it isn't required. This can be ideal for offices, shops and other premises where the occupants want an unobstructed window during the working day.
A fixed mesh guard makes more sense where continuous protection is desirable. Consider a small warehouse window at the rear of an industrial estate. If nobody needs regular access through that window and there is no reason to remove the security barrier each morning, a fixed mesh guard can provide a much simpler solution.
For a customer-facing office window where appearance during opening hours is more important, a retractable grille might be preferable.
What About Higher-Security Applications?
For some buildings, standard mesh protection won't be sufficient. A project may have a specific security requirement set by an insurer, architect, security consultant or risk assessment. In these circumstances, it is important to select a product that has been tested to the required standard rather than assuming that any heavy-duty steel mesh will provide the same performance.
Security Direct can also supply security-rated mesh window guards for applications where independently tested resistance to forced entry is required.
This is particularly relevant when LPS 1175 is specified.
LPS 1175 provides a recognised method for assessing the resistance of physical security products against deliberate forced entry using defined tools and attack methods. If your project specifies an LPS 1175 rating, the complete product and installation need to be considered rather than simply selecting a thicker piece of mesh.
You can read more in our LPS 1175 Issue 7 and Issue 8 Testing guide.
Getting the Installation Right
The mesh is only one part of a good security installation. The frame, fixings and structure surrounding the window are also important. A substantial steel mesh panel needs to be attached to a suitable substrate if it is going to perform as intended.
Depending on the opening, the mesh guard might be face-fixed around the window, installed within the reveal or mounted on stand-off brackets.
This is also why made-to-measure manufacture is useful. Real windows aren't always simple rectangles with nothing around them. Pipes, handles, vents and other services may need to be accommodated, and suitable cut-outs can be incorporated into the design where necessary.
Providing photographs and accurate dimensions when requesting a quotation can help us identify these issues before the guard is manufactured.
How Much Does Window Security Mesh Cost?
One advantage of window mesh is that it can provide a relatively straightforward way of protecting a vulnerable opening.
The final price will depend on the dimensions of the window, mesh pattern, frame construction, finish and installation arrangement. Hinged panels, stand-off brackets, bespoke cut-outs and higher-security specifications can also affect the price.
Because our Mesh Window Guards are made to measure, comparing products solely on a headline price can be misleading. A small fixed guard protecting a standard window is a very different product from a large externally mounted high-security system.
The best approach is to provide the dimensions of the opening, photographs of the surrounding structure and a brief explanation of what you're trying to protect against. We can then help identify an appropriate specification and provide an accurate quotation.
Is Window Security Mesh Right for Your Building?
Security mesh is particularly worth considering when you want a permanent physical barrier without completely blocking the window. It can protect vulnerable glazing while allowing daylight and ventilation to continue through the opening. It can also be manufactured around the practical requirements of the building, whether that means providing clearance for an opening window or creating occasional access for maintenance.
For some properties, window bars will be the simpler answer. For others, a retractable security grille or roller shutter will provide greater flexibility. The important thing is to choose the security product according to the risk and how the building is actually used.
Frequently Asked Questions About Window Security Mesh
What is window security mesh?
Window security mesh is a steel mesh panel installed across a window or vulnerable opening. It creates a physical barrier that can help protect the glazing from vandalism and make unauthorised access through the opening more difficult.
Can security mesh be fitted outside a window?
Yes. External installation is often useful when protecting the glazing itself is a priority because the mesh forms a barrier in front of the glass. Internal installations are also possible depending on the building and security requirements.
Can you still see through security mesh?
Yes. Security mesh has an open construction, allowing visibility and natural light through the panel. How open it appears will depend on the mesh pattern and aperture size selected.
Will window security mesh stop ventilation?
No. Air can pass through the openings in the mesh, making it particularly useful for windows and openings where ventilation needs to be maintained. The amount of free airflow will depend on the particular mesh specification.
Can I open my windows with security mesh installed?
In many cases, yes. The mesh can potentially be positioned away from the window using a stand-off arrangement so that there is space for the window to operate behind it. This needs to be considered when the guard is designed.
Is security mesh better than window bars?
They serve slightly different requirements. Mesh provides smaller openings across the window and can be useful where vandalism and glazing protection are concerns. Window bars can provide a simpler physical barrier where preventing access through the window is the main objective.
Is all window security mesh LPS 1175 rated?
No. Standard security mesh shouldn't be assumed to have an LPS 1175 rating. Where independently tested security is required, a specifically certified security-rated product should be selected.
Protecting Your Windows with Security Direct
Windows don't always need to be hidden behind a solid shutter to improve their security.
A well-designed window security mesh system can provide permanent protection while allowing the building to retain natural light, airflow and visibility. With different mesh patterns, frames, finishes and installation arrangements available, the product can be manufactured around the individual opening rather than forcing every building to use the same solution.
Security Direct supplies made-to-measure Mesh Window Guards, alongside window bars, retractable security grilles and higher-security window protection for more demanding applications.
View our Window Security Mesh or contact our team to discuss the windows you need to protect.
You can also see what other customers have said about Security Direct through our Feefo reviews and Trustpilot reviews.
