It’s one of the most common questions we hear from Sunshine Coast homeowners: “Is Crimsafe really worth it, or will a Diamond Grille do the job?” On the surface, both look like security screens. Both sit in a frame on your doors and windows. Both are designed to keep intruders out. But beyond that, the similarities start to fade fast.
As a licensed Crimsafe manufacturer on the Sunshine Coast, we understand the comparison intimately – because we sell and install both products. This isn’t a sales pitch for one over the other. It’s an honest breakdown of what each product is, how they differ, and which one is right for your situation.
First, What Exactly Is a Diamond Grille Security Screen?
Diamond Grille security screens (sometimes called Diamond Grille doors or 7mm grille screens) have been a popular choice in Australian homes for decades. The “diamond” refers to the repeating diamond-shaped pattern formed by the aluminium grille infill inside the frame.
The grille itself is typically made from aluminium – a lightweight metal that is resistant to corrosion and holds a powder-coat finish well. The grille sections can be riveted, screwed, or welded into the frame. The thickness of the grille matters here: a 7mm aluminium diamond grille is the standard we stock at North Coast Blinds & Security, and that extra thickness makes a meaningful difference to rigidity compared to thinner budget alternatives.
Diamond Grille screens are a proven, mid-range security option. They provide a visible deterrent to opportunistic intruders, they’re durable, and they look smart on a wide range of home styles. For many homeowners, they’re a practical and cost-effective choice.
And What Is Crimsafe?
Crimsafe is an Australian-owned brand that has been manufacturing security screens since 1996. It’s not just another security screen – it’s a product that fundamentally changed the standard for home security in Australia.
Instead of an aluminium grille pattern, Crimsafe uses Tensile-Tuff® mesh: a marine-grade 304 stainless steel mesh that is woven tightly enough to keep out insects but strong enough to resist cutting, tearing, and impact. The mesh is locked into the frame using Crimsafe’s patented Screw-Clamp® technology – a clamping system that grips the mesh around its entire perimeter, making it exceptionally difficult to dislodge from the frame even under significant force.
Crimsafe screens have been independently tested at the University of Queensland and found to withstand impact forces of 550 kJ – that’s 5.5 times the force required by Australian Standard AS5039. That’s not marketing language; that’s a tested, documented result.
At North Coast Blinds & Security, we are a licensed Crimsafe manufacturer, meaning we fabricate Crimsafe products right here on the Sunshine Coast to Crimsafe’s strict specifications. Every screen is made to measure for your exact opening.
Want to understand what AS5039 means and why it matters? Read our guide: What Does AS5039 Actually Mean — And Why It Matters When Buying a Security Screen.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Here’s how the two products stack up across the factors that matter most to homeowners:
| Feature | Crimsafe | Diamond Grille (7mm) |
| Material | Marine-grade 304 stainless steel mesh (Tensile-Tuff®) | Powder-coated aluminium grille |
| Frame attachment | Patented Screw-Clamp® – mesh clamped around entire perimeter | Riveted, screwed or welded corners |
| Impact resistance | 550 kJ tested – 5.5× AS5039 standard | Meets AS5039 standard |
| Locking system | Triple-lock as standard | Triple-lock available (single-lock is NOT a security screen) |
| Insect barrier | Yes – fine mesh keeps insects out | Yes – fibreglass mesh keeps insects out |
| Visibility / airflow | Excellent – near-unobstructed view from inside | Moderate – grille pattern more visible |
| Energy efficiency | Blocks up to 53% solar heat gain & 62% UV rays (Crimsafe Ultimate) | No significant solar or UV benefit |
| Appearance | Modern, fine mesh – minimal visual footprint | Classic diamond pattern – traditional aesthetic |
| Colour range | 13 standard colours + woodgrain finishes (custom available) | Standard range of powder-coat colours (custom available) |
| Warranty | 10-year warranty (licensed manufacturer required) | Manufacturer warranty varies |
| Price point | Premium investment | Mid-range, more budget-friendly |
The Key Differences Explained
1. The Mesh vs. The Grille
This is the most fundamental difference. Crimsafe uses a fine stainless-steel mesh – the same grade of steel used in marine environments – woven tightly enough to stop insects as well as intruders. Diamond Grille uses an aluminium grille with gaps between the bars.
Neither is “weak” in the context of Australian Standards, but the stainless-steel mesh construction of Crimsafe gives it a fundamentally different – and higher – level of physical resistance.
2. How the Mesh/Grille Is Attached to the Frame
With Diamond Grille screens, the grille sections are riveted, screwed, or welded into the frame at their corners. This works well under normal conditions but concentrated force – such as a kick or a shoulder-charge – can put significant stress on those attachment points.
Crimsafe’s Screw-Clamp® technology is a different approach entirely. The mesh is clamped into the frame along its entire perimeter. Force applied to the mesh is distributed across the whole frame rather than concentrated at corners. This is a major reason why Crimsafe performs so significantly above the Australian Standard in independent testing.
3. Insect Protection
This one is simple: Both 7mm & Crimsafe screens double as insect screens. Crimsafe’s fine stainless-steel mesh keeps flies, mosquitoes, and other insects out while still allowing excellent airflow. 7mm Diamond Grille screens are backed by fibreglass mesh to provide protection from insects.
4. Visibility and Aesthetics
Looking out from inside your home, Crimsafe is designed to be as unobtrusive as possible. The fine mesh allows a clear, relatively unobstructed view of your garden, yard, or street. Diamond Grille creates a more visible grid pattern that some homeowners love for its classic look, but it does interrupt the view more noticeably.
Both products come in powder-coat colours to suit different home styles. Crimsafe offers 13 standard colours and a range of woodgrain finishes, making it easy to match existing window frames and door hardware.
5. Energy Efficiency
This is an area where Crimsafe – particularly Crimsafe Ultimate – provides a benefit that Diamond Grille simply cannot match. Crimsafe Ultimate is designed to block up to 53% of solar heat gain and 62% of UV rays coming through your windows and doors. On the Sunshine Coast, where summer sun can drive air conditioning costs up significantly, that’s a real and measurable benefit. Diamond Grille screens offer no equivalent solar or UV performance.
6. Cost
Diamond Grille security screens are generally a more budget-friendly entry point into quality home security. They meet Australian Standards, they look great, and they provide a meaningful level of protection. For homeowners who need to cover a large number of openings across a tight budget, Diamond Grille can be a sensible starting point.
Crimsafe is a premium product with a premium price. However, the performance difference and energy efficiency benefits, and 10-year warranty that comes with licensed manufacture make it a strong investment for those who want the highest level of protection available.
Tip: Some of our clients start with Crimsafe on the most vulnerable entry points – the front door and main living areas – and add to their security over time. This is a practical way to prioritise your budget without leaving yourself exposed.
Which One Should You Choose?
There’s no single right answer – it depends on your priorities, your property, and your budget. Here’s a simple way to think about it:
Choose Crimsafe if…
- You want the highest level of impact and forced-entry resistance available
- Insect protection matters to you (especially relevant on the Sunshine Coast)
- You want to reduce solar heat gain and UV exposure through your screens
- You’re looking for a long-term, warranted investment backed by licensed manufacture
- You want minimal visual interruption and clear views from inside your home
Choose Diamond Grille (7mm) if…
- You have a larger number of openings to secure and need to spread your budget
- You prefer a more traditional, visible security aesthetic
- Your primary goal is a visual deterrent and a solid mid-range level of protection
- Insect protection is required
Both products, when supplied and installed by a professional, will meet Australian Standard AS5039 and provide genuine security for your home. The choice is really about what level of performance and additional benefits you want beyond that baseline.
Why Buy from North Coast Blinds & Security?
We’ve been serving Sunshine Coast homeowners for over 25 years. As a licensed Crimsafe manufacturer, we don’t just sell Crimsafe – we fabricate it. That means every screen is made to Crimsafe’s exact specifications, with quality controlled at the source, right here on the Sunshine Coast. It’s what makes the 10-year warranty valid, and it’s what ensures the product performs as it was tested to.
We also supply and install quality Diamond Grille security screens for homeowners where that product is the right fit. Our approach is always to match the right product to your situation – not to upsell you on something you don’t need.
We carry both Crimsafe and Diamond Grille screens for:
- Hinged doors
- Sliding doors
- Stacker and bi-fold door configurations
- Window screens – all sizes and configurations
Ready to Protect Your Home?
Whether you’re leaning toward Crimsafe or want to explore your Diamond Grille options, we’re here to help. Book a free measure and quote with the team at North Coast Blinds & Security and we’ll walk you through the right solution for your home, your openings, and your budget.