Darwin properties need window security that handles two very different threats at once: the build-up insect pressure that arrives months before the wet season, and the real break-in risk that comes when cyclone evacuations leave homes unattended. The 007 aluminium grille security screen addresses both. DABSCO has supplied and installed these screens across Darwin and Palmerston since 1966, manufacturing each unit to measure in our Winnellie factory to match your exact window openings.
Why Darwin Homes Need AS 5039 Compliant Security Screens
Security screens fitted in Darwin need to do things that screens sold in southern states are never tested for. Wind Region C cyclone loading adds structural demands on every fixed screen, and the coastal salt air accelerates corrosion in frames and fixings that are not specified for tropical conditions.
The
AS 5039 security screen standard covers the performance testing requirements for security screen doors and window grilles. Products that comply have been tested for impact resistance, jemmy resistance, and knife shear. The standard also sets out the frame fixing requirements covered under AS 5040, which governs how screens are installed into the surrounding structure. The 007 screen DABSCO supplies is manufactured to meet these standards. For compliance documentation on a specific project, contact our Winnellie office directly on (08) 8947 8111.
The
NT Government Building Advisory Services sets out local building requirements that apply to residential and commercial work across Darwin, Palmerston, and regional NT. Where security screens are fitted in bushfire-affected areas with a BAL (Bushfire Attack Level) rating, the opening protection must meet the requirements set for that BAL zone in addition to the security screen standard. If your property falls under a BAL assessment, confirm the screen specification with DABSCO before ordering.
007 Screen vs Other Security Screen Options for Darwin Windows
The 007 aluminium grille is one of several security screen formats DABSCO supplies. Choosing the right product depends on the window type, the level of break-in deterrence required, and whether stainless steel mesh performance is a specification requirement for your project.
Security Screen Comparison for Darwin Windows
| Feature | 007 Aluminium Grille | Crimsafe Security Screen | Invisi-Gard Security Screen |
| Mesh type | Aluminium grille (7mm) | 316 marine grade stainless steel woven mesh | High tensile stainless steel mesh |
| Mesh visibility | High visibility grille profile | Near-clear sightlines | Near-clear sightlines |
| Insect exclusion | Full | Full | Full |
| AS 5039 compliance | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Cyclone wind load suitability | Suitable for Wind Region C when correctly installed | Suitable for Wind Region C when correctly installed | Suitable for Wind Region C when correctly installed |
| Corrosion resistance | Powder coat aluminium | 316 marine grade mesh, powder coat frame | Stainless steel mesh, powder coat frame |
| Price point | More affordable entry level option | Mid to upper range | Mid to upper range |
| Best suited to | Budget-conscious buyers, rental properties, side windows | All Darwin residential and commercial | All Darwin residential and commercial |
For homeowners who want the thinnest visual profile and maximum sightlines,
Crimsafe security screens use 316 marine-grade stainless steel woven mesh that all but disappears in the opening. For those who need a reliable, cost-effective screen across multiple window openings, the 007 aluminium grille delivers AS 5039 level security at a price point that makes it practical for whole-house fitting.
Visisafe Safe-S-Cape: Security With an Emergency Exit
Standard fixed security screens in Darwin raise a legitimate concern: if the window is your emergency exit during a fire or another incident inside the building, a fixed screen that requires a key or tool to open from inside becomes a hazard.
The Visisafe Safe-S-Cape is an exclusive product available through licensed Crimsafe installers, including DABSCO. It is available in the 007 grille format and provides a security screen that can be released quickly from inside without tools, giving you a compliant emergency exit point. Cyclone season is not the only risk Darwin homeowners plan for. A screen that locks from the outside but releases from the inside addresses the safety concern without removing the security barrier. Ask DABSCO about fitting Visisafe Safe-S-Cape units to bedrooms and any room where an occupant might need to exit without passing through the main door.
Powder Coated Colour Options and Tropical Climate Durability
The 007 frame is powder-coated using a standard Darwin-approved colour range. Powder coat applied in a controlled factory environment performs significantly better against the UV and humidity exposure of Darwin’s tropical north than paint applied in the field. The build-up and wet season cycle of high humidity, heavy rainfall, and intense UV is harder on frame coatings than almost any other climate in Australia.
DABSCO manufactures the 007 screen in our Winnellie factory, which means the powder coat finish is applied before installation, not after. Frames arrive on site ready to install without the adhesion failures that can follow on-site touch-up work in humid conditions. Standard and special powder coat colours are available. For colour options specific to your project, visit us at 19 Swan Crescent, Winnellie, or call (08) 8947 8111.
Installation: Made to Measure for Darwin Window Openings
Darwin homes built before and after Cyclone Tracy in 1974 show a wide variation in window opening sizes, particularly in older Winnellie, Rapid Creek, and inner Darwin suburbs, where window rough openings do not always match current standard dimensions. Building in Palmerston, Humpty Doo, and newer Darwin suburb developments tends to follow more consistent opening sizes, but made-to-measure fabrication still produces a better fit and a more secure installation than adapting a stock-size screen to a non-standard opening.
Every 007 screen DABSCO supplies is cut and assembled to measure in Winnellie. Installation follows AS 5040, which covers the fixing requirements for security screen doors and window grilles, including frame anchorage, hinge bolt depth, and locking point positioning. Getting the installation spec right is as important as the screen itself, since a screen that is not correctly fixed to the surrounding structure will not perform as tested, regardless of the product’s own rating.
Finance Options for Darwin Homeowners
| Finance Option | Minimum Purchase | Interest Free Period | Notes |
| Latitude Gem Visa | $250 | 6 months interest free | Instant approval, use anywhere |
| Latitude Gem Visa | $1,500 | 18 months interest free | No early payout penalty |
| HUMM Buy Now Pay Later | No minimum stated | No interest ever | Convenient BNPL option |
Finance cannot be combined with other sales, discounts, or offers. Contact DABSCO for current promotions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the 007 security screen made from?
The 007 screen uses a 7mm aluminium grille profile inside a powder-coated aluminium frame. An aluminium mesh insert provides insect exclusion. The screen is made to measure at DABSCO’s Winnellie factory.
Does the 007 screen comply with AS 5039?
Yes. The 007 aluminium grille security screen is manufactured to meet the requirements of AS 5039, the Australian standard covering security screen doors and window grilles.
Can 007 security screens be fitted in cyclone areas in Darwin?
Yes. When correctly installed to AS 5040 into the surrounding structure, the 007 screen is suitable for Wind Region C cyclonic conditions applicable to Darwin and the broader NT.
What is the Visisafe Safe-S-Cape option?
It is an emergency exit version of the 007 grille screen available exclusively through licensed Crimsafe installers such as DABSCO. It allows a quick release from inside without tools, providing an emergency egress point while maintaining external security.
Can 007 screens be installed on all window types?
The 007 screen can be fitted to most standard window types, including awning, casement, louvre, and sliding windows. DABSCO measures and fabricates each screen to suit the specific opening. Contact us to confirm suitability for your window configuration.
How long do aluminium grille security screens last in Darwin’s climate?
Properly installed powder-coated aluminium grille screens typically perform well for many years in tropical conditions. Salt air and UV exposure are the primary ageing factors in Darwin. Using powder coat rather than paint, and cleaning the frames periodically to remove salt and dust build-up, extends the service life significantly.
Are 007 screens suitable for rental properties in Darwin?
Yes. The 007 aluminium grille is a popular choice for investment properties and rental housing in Darwin and Palmerston because it delivers AS 5039 security compliance at a competitive price across multiple window openings.