Unsure about security screen mesh quality?

We've done the security screen research for you!

Installing security screens is about providing peace of mind for you and your family – knowing your home is well protected and having confidence the product you have selected is going to be durable and long-lasting. The last thing you want to be worried about is the quality of security screen installed and whether it is going to last the distance.

With Invisi-Gard, you can rest easy, secure in the knowledge that research has been taken care of for you. The results of recent testing, combined with research by our staff, have reinforced our confidence that our products are made from the best possible materials and will continuously outperform competitor’s products.

Does it matter where security screen mesh is made?

In all parts of the production cycle, the key to ensuring quality is having processes in place to document every step of the way. Suppliers should be able to provide proof to answer questions like: Is the wire that forms the mesh actually a 316 marine grade? Has the product been properly pre-treated? Has each stage of production been closely monitored to ensure quality? Is the paint that is used one that is suitable for Australian conditions? Has it been tested to Australian and International standards?

As part of Invisi-Gard’s commitment to ongoing industry research and to ensure we are continually providing the best possible products, staff recently visited the wire-mesh producing area of Anping in China. Their aim was to investigate and compare process and the standards of products from this region (used by some of our competitors) to those we currently use.

After touring the main production facilities, staff were able to summarise these key issues to consider regarding products from this region:

• Most products were not made in one factory – several subcontractors were usually involved in the production of the mesh. Most of these operated from basic facilities in small family-run operations. At a minimum this made quality processes more complicated to document and check.
  
  
• None of the facilities had the capacity to produce the high quality 316 stainless steel mesh with the 900 mpa tensile rating (the standard utilised by Invisi-Gard). Any products sourced from this area therefore cannot be made from the highest grade material.

In all cases the quality of the powder coating (painting) process did not come close to meeting the requirements of the harsh Australian climate. The powder being used in the painting process is a formulation that should never be used for a product being used in Australia.

Quality control counts

In comparison, the stainless steel mesh used by Invisi-Gard in our security screens is produced by Meshtec, a world-class manufacturer based in Thailand. Their extensive quality control processes, combined with custom-designed machinery, ensures the superior quality of the end result. With a commitment to investment in research and development, they have been able to produce woven mesh which meets or exceeds international standards.

This high quality mesh is achieved through starting with the right materials. Meshtec’s high tensile wire is a specialised product where each strand of wire is individually tested to stringent global standards by their in-house quality control laboratory. Meshtec’s accreditations include ISO9001:2008, ISO14001:2004, ISO17025 and OHSAS18001:2007, which enable them to meet Invisi-Gard’s demanding product specifications.

Results speak for themselves

Not content to simply test their own quality, Meshtec recently conducted a comprehensive test pitting their products against some of their competitors’ products sourced from China. In these tests, seven competitor samples and four Meshtec samples were submitted to rigorous testing to simulate real-world weathering conditions.

In a two-step process over 1004 hours, the samples were subject to exposure in two different chambers for alternating periods. Step one, conducted in what is known as a QUV chamber, involved subjecting the samples to UV and condensation. Step 2 was conducted in a salt spray chamber where the product was subjected to fog and dry off processes.

Our comparative performance of Invisi-Gard (on left) with a competing product subject to 1004 hours

While 1004 hours (nearly 42 days) may not seem like much for products expected to last for years, this process simulates many years of exposed conditions and it proved more than enough to produce conclusive results. All seven competitor samples showed some form of corrosion, from slight colour changes through to complete failure and rusting after as little as 168 hours. Meanwhile, the four Meshtec samples remained unchanged for the entire test period, with no colour changes and no visible corrosion.

So what does this mean to you?

Know where your mesh is sourced from – a reputable supplier with quality systems overseeing every step of the process. The easiest way to ensure longevity is by making the right choice up front, with certified and tested high quality mesh screens such as those provided by Invisi-Gard. With our products, you can sit back, relax and enjoy the peace of mind that comes from knowing we have done the research for you.