If you’ve started looking into security screens for your home, chances are two names keep coming up: Prowler Proof and Crimsafe. They’re arguably the two most talked-about brands in Australian home security, and for good reason. Both deliver serious protection, both meet Australian Standards, and both offer a solid range of security doors and windows.
But they’re not the same product. Not even close.
The way they’re built, the materials they use, and the warranties they stand behind are all quite different. And those differences matter, especially when you’re spending good money to protect your family and property.
So rather than giving you the usual sales pitch, this article breaks down the real, technical differences between these two brands. We’ll cover construction methods, materials, warranties, design, and testing so you can compare them properly and figure out which one actually suits your situation.
A Quick Overview of Both Brands
Before we get into the finer details, it helps to understand where each brand comes from and what they’re known for.
Both are Australian manufacturers offering a wide range of security doors and windows. You’ll find hinged, sliding, and bi-fold options from each, along with window screens and specialty products. But the philosophy behind how they build their products is where things start to diverge.
What Is Prowler Proof?
Prowler Proof is a Queensland-based manufacturer that’s been in the security screen game for over 30 years. They’re known for an innovative, fully automated factory and a construction approach that’s genuinely different from most other brands on the market.
Their product lineup includes the ForceField range (their flagship stainless steel mesh screen), Protec, Diamond, Heritage, and Guardian. Prowler Proof products are built using a chemical and mechanical bond system with fully welded corners, and the ForceField range features 316 Marine Grade stainless steel mesh.
Prowler Proof offers everything from standard security doors to fall prevention screens and patio enclosures.
What Is Crimsafe?
Crimsafe is probably the most recognised security screen brand in Australia, largely thanks to years of high-profile TV advertising. They’ve built a strong reputation and their name has almost become synonymous with security screens in general.
Crimsafe utilises a patented screw-clamp technology to secure mesh into the frame, and their screens are made from 304 Structural Grade stainless steel mesh. Crimsafe security doors come in hinged, sliding, and bi-fold configurations, and they also offer window screens, escape windows, patio enclosures, and products rated for bushfire and cyclone protection.
It’s a comprehensive range, and there’s no question Crimsafe screens have earned their place in the market.
The Difference Between Prowler Proof and Crimsafe: Construction Methods
This is where comparing security screens gets interesting, because the way the mesh is attached to the frame is the single biggest technical difference between these two brands. And it has a direct impact on strength, durability, and long-term performance.
Prowler Proof’s Chemical and Mechanical Bond
Their construction method is unlike anything else in the industry. Instead of using screws, rivets, or wedges, they use a chemical and mechanical bond to secure the stainless steel mesh to the aluminium frame.
What does that actually mean in practice? The bonding process creates a permanent connection that insulates the mesh from the frame. This is important because when two dissimilar metals sit directly against each other (especially in humid or salty conditions), you get galvanic corrosion. This approach minimises that risk significantly.
The result is a seamless finish with no visible fixings on the face of the frame. It looks clean, and there are no screw heads or clamp marks to collect dirt or moisture.
On top of that, all frames feature fully welded corners. Rather than mitering the corners and fastening them with rivets (which is common across the industry), the corners are welded into a single, continuous piece. This removes what’s traditionally the weakest point in any security screen frame.
Crimsafe’s Screw-Clamp Technology
Crimsafe takes a different approach. Their system uses a two-part frame using tamper-resistant screws to clamp the mesh in place. The clamps create a grip that’s designed to tighten under force, so the harder someone pushes against the screen, the tighter the mesh holds.
It’s a patented system, exclusive to Crimsafe, and it’s been proven through extensive testing. There’s no question it works.
That said, the screw-clamp method does involve direct metal-to-metal contact between the fasteners and the mesh. In coastal environments or areas with harsh weather conditions, these contact points can become vulnerable over time. It doesn’t mean the product will fall apart, but it’s worth factoring in if you live near the ocean or in a particularly humid climate.
Stainless Steel Mesh: 316 vs 304 Grade
The grade of mesh used in a security screen has a real impact on how it performs over the years, particularly when it comes to corrosion resistance.
Prowler Proof’s ForceField range uses 316 Marine Grade stainless steel mesh. The “marine grade” label isn’t just marketing. This grade contains molybdenum, which gives it superior corrosion resistance against salt spray, chlorides, and chemical exposure. It’s the same material used in marine hardware and coastal infrastructure for exactly that reason.
Crimsafe screens use 304 Structural Grade stainless steel mesh. It’s a strong, reliable material and it performs well in most conditions. However, 304 does not contain molybdenum, which means it doesn’t offer the same level of protection in aggressive coastal environments.
For homeowners living within five kilometres of the coast, or anywhere salt air is a factor, the difference between these two grades is genuinely significant. Inland, the gap narrows, but superior materials still contribute to longer product life regardless of location.
If corrosion resistance and long-term durability are high on your list of priorities, this is one area where Prowler Proof holds a clear advantage.
Corner Construction and Frame Design
Here’s something most people don’t think about when they’re choosing security screens, but it makes a real difference to both strength and aesthetics.
Prowler Proof’s welded corners create a seamless frame with no joins, no rivets, and no visible fixings at the joints. Because the frame is one continuous piece, it’s structurally stronger than a mitered corner held together with mechanical fasteners. This added strength means many of their doors don’t require a midrail to pass Australian Standards, giving you an uninterrupted view through the screen and better visibility and ventilation.
Crimsafe’s frames use mitered corners with fixings. They’re solid and functional, but depending on the width of your door, a midrail may be required for the product to meet the standard. That midrail runs horizontally across the middle of the door, which can break up the clean look and slightly reduce your sightline.
From a design and style perspective, the welded approach gives Prowler Proof a noticeably cleaner aesthetic. If the look of your security screen matters to you (and let’s be honest, it should), this is worth paying attention to.
Warranty Comparison
Warranty coverage is one of the easiest ways to gauge how much confidence a manufacturer has in their own product. And this is where Prowler Proof really sets itself apart.
They back all of their screens with a full replacement warranty for 10 years. If a defect in materials or workmanship occurs during that period, you don’t get a repair. You get a completely new screen, along with a fresh coverage period. There’s no registration required, and there are no strict cleaning schedules you need to follow to keep things valid.
Crimsafe offers coverage as well, but it’s structured differently. Theirs is generally repair-focused, meaning if something goes wrong, the product is repaired rather than replaced. There are also registration requirements and specific maintenance protocols you’ll need to stick to in order to maintain your entitlements.
For anyone who wants peace of mind without the fine print, Prowler Proof’s replacement warranty is hard to beat. It speaks to the durability of their product and their willingness to stand behind it without conditions.
Security Testing and Impact Resistance
Both brands take testing seriously, and both exceed Australian Standard AS 5039. So you can feel confident that either option will genuinely protect your home.
Prowler Proof’s ForceField security screens have been independently tested at the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station. During testing, they withstood corner impacts at 65km/hr and centre impacts up to 104km/hr. That’s a serious level of resistance, and the fact that testing was conducted at an independent university facility adds an extra layer of credibility.
Crimsafe has also undergone extensive testing, including at the University of Queensland. Their screens can withstand up to 550 joules of impact, which is 5.5 times the level required by the Australian Standard. That’s a strong result by any measure.
Both products perform well in cyclone-rated regions and both offer genuine protection against forced entry. On pure numbers, it’s difficult to separate them. Where Prowler Proof gains a slight edge is in the independent, university-based nature of their testing, which some homeowners and builders find reassuring.
Design, Style, and Colour Options
Security shouldn’t mean sacrificing the look of your home. Thankfully, both brands have invested heavily in aesthetics.
Prowler Proof offers over 50 standard colours and more than 250 optional colours through their Qualicoat-approved powder coating process. The welded frame and bond system means there are no visible fixings on the face of the product, giving it a sleek, modern finish. For those who prefer a more traditional look, their diamond grille range provides classic styling without compromising on security.
Crimsafe also offers a solid range of colour options and custom designs. Their products are available in various configurations to suit different window and door types, and they’ve done a good job of making screens that blend into the overall design of a home.
Both brands cater to contemporary, modern, and heritage-style homes. But the cleaner lines that come with welded construction and bonded mesh do give Prowler Proof a slight visual edge, particularly on front entry doors and large sliding panels where aesthetics really matter.
Which Brand Is the Better Crimsafe Alternative?
A lot of Australians start their search looking specifically for a Crimsafe alternative. Sometimes it’s because of pricing, sometimes it’s about wanting 316 grade mesh for a coastal property, and sometimes it’s simply about exploring what else is available before committing.
Prowler Proof consistently comes up as the strongest option when comparing security brands in this space. It’s not necessarily a cheaper alternative to Crimsafe (both sit firmly in the premium bracket), but the long-term value tells a different story. With superior corrosion resistance, a full replacement warranty with no strings attached, and welded construction that reduces maintenance demands, the total cost of ownership over 10 to 15 years can actually work in Prowler Proof’s favour.
For coastal properties and areas where salt air accelerates wear, the combination of 316 Marine Grade mesh and an insulated bonding system makes it a particularly compelling choice.
If you’ve been looking at Crimsafe and Prowler Proof side by side and struggling to decide, the honest answer is that both are quality products. But if long-term performance, warranty coverage, and low-maintenance ownership matter to you, Prowler Proof has the edge.
Prowler Proof vs Crimsafe: Side-by-Side Comparison Table
Feature
Prowler Proof (ForceField)
Crimsafe
Mesh Material
316 Marine Grade stainless steel
304 Structural Grade stainless steel
Bonding Method
Chemical and mechanical bond
Screw-clamp technology
Corner Construction
Fully welded, seamless
Mitered with fixings
Corrosion Resistance
Superior (316 grade + insulated bond)
Standard (304 grade)
Warranty
Full replacement, no registration
Repair-focused, registration required
Visible Fixings
None on face
Screw fixings visible
Midrail Required
Generally not required
May be required depending on width
Colour Options
50+ standard, 250+ optional
Wide range available
Fall Prevention Option
Yes (Guardian range)
Limited
Cyclone Tested
Yes (James Cook University)
Yes (University of Queensland)
Making Your Decision
At the end of the day, both Prowler Proof and Crimsafe are reputable Australian brands that deliver genuine security for your home. You won’t go wrong with either if your main goal is keeping intruders out.
But when you dig into the details, there are meaningful differences that could sway your decision one way or the other.
If you live in a coastal environment, if you want a hassle-free warranty that doesn’t come with conditions, or if you simply prefer the clean look of welded construction with no visible fixings, Prowler Proof is the stronger choice. The superior materials, innovative bonding system, and straightforward replacement warranty make it a brand that’s built for the long haul.
Whatever you decide, make sure you go with professional installation from an authorised dealer. Even the best product in the world won’t perform properly if it’s not fitted correctly. Dealers like Locked Security, who specialise in Prowler Proof security screens and doors, can walk you through the differences in person, measure your openings, and make sure everything is installed to Australian Standards. Get a quote from a few different installers, ask about their experience with the brand you’re leaning towards, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about how it handles your specific conditions.
Your home is worth protecting properly. Take the time to get it right.
